‘An Exploration of the Role of the School Secretary ...

[Pages:270]A Qualitative Study

`An Exploration of the Role of the School Secretary/Administrator in the City of Dublin Vocational Education Committee' (CDVEC)

Doctorate in Education (Ed. D) Dublin City University

Supervisor: Dr. Senan Cooke School of Education Studies

Noreen H. Connolly O'Prey MSc, BBS

January 2012

1

Approval Page

I hereby certify that this material, which I now submit for assessment on the programme of study leading to the award of Doctorate in Education (Ed.D) is entirely my own work, that I have exercised reasonable care to ensure that the work is original, and does not to the best of my knowledge breach any law of copyright, and has not been taken from the work of others save and to the extent that such work has been cited and acknowledged within the text of my work.

Signed: _________________(Candidate) ID No: ________ Date: _______

2

Dedication

To School Secretaries/Administrators working in the schools and colleges

of The City of Dublin Vocational Education Committee

(CDVEC)

3

Acknowledgements

The researcher wishes to take this opportunity to thank some people, without whom she would not have been able to complete this thesis.

? Dr. Senan Cooke, her supervisor, for his dedication, commitment, inspiration, expert advice and knowledge but above all for his patience and who created a wonderful learning environment for her.

? Professor Gerry McNamara, Director of the Professional Doctorate programme, and Professor Peter Ribbins, to all the Tutors/lecturers, Madeline McDermott and Kirsty Rickard for their continued support throughout the programme.

? Des for the on-going conversations on the study and for the encouragement he provided as a fellow student. Trudy a fellow student for her on-going advice and support during the course of the study. All other fellow students on the Professional Doctoral programme for their friendship and support over the last five years.

? Jacinta Stewart, Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of CDVEC for granting permission to carry out this study and to trace the history of the school secretary in the minutes of the committee meetings of CDVEC. The researcher pays tribute to all school secretaries and administrative staff who have shared in the history of working in CDVEC.

? Her colleagues the `school secretaries/administrators' for their encouragement and support during this research, who gave so freely

4

of their time for interviews and who shared their experiences of the role.

? The Principals of CDVEC for their interest, support, knowledge and extensive views of how they perceive the role of school secretary/administrator.

? The Principal/Deputy (retired and present), her colleague Ann and all those she worked with in the school where she was a `school administrator' for fourteen years, for their friendship over the years, continuous support in the study, for the time they gave for interviews and for sharing their experience, needs and perceptions on the role.

? The senior academic member of CDVEC Management who showed great interest in the study and for the time given for interview

? The senior official from IMPACT Trade Union for the interest in the study, time given for interview and for providing an update on developments and services that are very relevant to school secretaries/administrators.

? The Director of the Curriculum Development Unit for the interest shown in the study and for providing the opportunity to carry out interviews. To the programme co-ordinator and teachers who took part in the interview.

? Jackie Ervolina, Chairperson of the `school secretaries' chapter of the United Federation of Teachers Union (UFT) for the very warm welcome extended to the researcher during her time in New York. For arranging a tour of a large vocational school and introducing her to the principal, school secretaries and staff. For taking her to the

5

UFT headquarters, and imparting so much knowledge on the New York education system and UFT. Inviting her to attend the professional development day, arranging further interviews and attending the `School Secretary' of the Year Gala Awards.

? To the school secretary, who conducted the tour of the school in New York and for the time she gave taking part in an interview. To her principal for granting permission to visit the school and to all the secretaries and staff of the school who were so friendly and provided the researcher with an overview of their system.

? To the other `school secretaries' the researcher met during her time in New York at the professional development day and the `School Secretary' of the Year Awards and all the people she met at the UFT headquarters.

? Tony Attwood, Chairman of the School of Educational Administration in the UK, for the time he gave in taking part in telephone interviews. For the interest in the research and for the knowledge he imparted on the education system in the UK. For his insight in setting up the certificate in school administration and diploma in school efficiency and support services for `school administrators' in the UK.

? Sandra O'Connell for her support and assistance with the diagrams in the study.

? Professor Maria Slowey, Director Higher Education Research Centre, Dr. Ekatherina Kozina and Dr. Emma Murphy for the advice, support and encouragement they provided.

6

? Michelle Lumley my daughter for her support in giving so freely of her time to assist in proof-reading the study.

? My family ? My husband Michael, daughters Michelle and Lorraine, sons-in law Robert and Marc, my adorable grandsons Sean and Cian, my mother Babs, mother-in-law Roseanne, my siblings, Mary and Pat also George and Tina, my nieces and nephews, my extended family and friends for their on-going love, support and patience over the five years of this study.

? My late husband Tom Connolly and my father Patrick Clarke, I think they would be proud.

7

Abstract

`An Exploration of the Role of the School Secretary/Administrator in the City of Dublin Vocational Education Committee' (CDVEC)

Author: Noreen Connolly O'Prey

The objective of this study is to examine the role of the school secretary/administrator in CDVEC and to make recommendations that will improve the understanding of the role and performance for the benefit of all stakeholders. In completing the study the researcher consulted with stakeholder representatives as to their understanding of the importance of the role.

CDVEC is the largest VEC in the Republic of Ireland. It delivers a broad range of educational courses and provides a wide variety of complementary and supplementary services. The focus of this study is on the school secretaries/administrators who work in the twenty- two schools and colleges.

The conceptual framework in which the investigative component of the research was carried out was based on a critical theory approach. It focused on best practices in school administration and research carried out in New York and London which was included in the research analysis and served to enrich perspectives and findings.

The study was completed in the context of huge change in education and education administration. Many of the legislative and curriculum changes that have taken place over the past decade has impacted heavily on the role and responsibility of the secretary/administrator. Very little research has been carried out on this subject in Ireland to date. As a result very little discussion and change has occurred on how secretaries/ administrators can be upskilled to help them with the many changes implemented and with many more to come.

The research findings identified a range of key issues that if addressed would be of benefit to the students and other key stakeholders. Many aspects of the role are clarified and recommendations are made as to how it can support and influence future improvements in CDVEC education.

8

 ................
................

In order to avoid copyright disputes, this page is only a partial summary.

Google Online Preview   Download