AbstractsEconomics

The major purpose of this study was to investigate the role and responsibilities of currently employed home economics department chairmen in selected public secondary schools in California. It sought to reveal an overall picture of the typical backgrounds, environment, and duties of educators holding this position. Secondarily, it compared department chairmens views of their responsibilities with the views of their principals regarding the position. Participants in the study were comprised of 300 home economics department chairmen and the 300 principals from the schools of the department chairmen. Respondents were selected by a random sampling of all public secondary schools in the state of California. The research instrument deemed most appropriate to the purpose of this study was a questionnaire. It was devised and sample tested by the investigator. The questionnaire sent to department chairmen was comprised of three parts, which sought reactions from the respondents concerning professional background and environment, role and responsibilities, and their opinions on various aspects of their job. That portion of the questionnaire concerned with role and responsibilities was duplicated and administered to the principals for comparative data. The study revealed a multitude of data concerning the responsibilities of home economics department chairmen. Major conclusions included: 1. Written job descriptions for this position were extremely sparse and need to be developed. 2. Home economics department chairmen are involved in too many responsibilities and need additional release time to adequately perform their duties. 3. In-service training for new and continuing department chairmen is sadly lacking and is a prime need. 4. Department chairmen should be more involved in departmental leadership functions and less involved with management details.