Adequacy of Training of Iowa Principals for Administration of Negotiated Contracts

Abstract

The problem. Since Iowa has a relatively new collective bargaining law, are principals adequately trained to implement master contracts negotiated under this law? Procedure. Literature was reviewed to determine training needed for contract administration. Principals were interviewed concerning their administrative training and experience as well as their opinions on training for contract administration. A comparison was made between the training deemed necessary in the literature and the training principals indicated was necessary. Courses of study and course descriptions for principal preparation programs offered by the four educational administration training institutions in Iowa were used to determine available training in contract administration. This information was also compared to training requirements. Findings. Limited training is presently available which deals directly with oontract administration although interviewed principals felt such training was essential. Most training principals now possess was found to have been by a trial and error process. Conclusions: If principals are expected to possess necessary levels of competence in contract administration, training must be available. Recommendations: All principal preparation programs should include a course in collective bargaining. Also, workshops and seminars dealing with current trends in contract administration should be offered. Universities and principal associations should jointly plan such activities using practitioners as resource persons.