An Investigation of the Workload and Job Satisfaction of North Carolina's Special Education Directors

Overview & Synopsis

Keywords: special education directors, workload, job satisfaction, special education administration. The purpose of this mixed methods research study was to investigate employee characteristics, workload, and job satisfaction of special education directors employed by local education agencies in North Carolina (N = 115). This study illuminates the complex nature of this leadership role and identifies factors influencing the job satisfaction among this population of special education directors. While these leaders have many years of experience in public education, the majority report fewer than five years of experience in special education administration. Findings identified these administrators have an immense workload that often requires reporting to work early, staying late, and/or working on weekends to fulfill job duties. While findings showed these leaders derive satisfaction when they apply strategic and instructional leadership, collaborate with stakeholders, and put forth efforts to improve outcomes for children with disabilities, this group has ambivalence toward their jobs. Areas of greatest dissatisfaction with regard to special education administration included demands from the state and local education agency, scarcity of resources, addressing conflict, and inadequate salaries. Findings of this study support earlier studies in that special education administration is inundated with turnover. Attrition is likely to continue until state and local education agencies take steps to improve the working conditions of special education administrators. [The dissertation citations contained here are published with the permission of ProQuest LLC. Further reproduction is prohibited without permission. Copies of dissertations may be obtained by Telephone (800) 1-800-521-0600. Web page: http://www.proquest.com/en-US/products/dissertations/individuals.shtml.]