A PRELIMINARY EXAMINATION OF THE IMPACT OF A STRUCTURED PRINCIPAL NETWORK ON PRINCIPAL BURNOUT

Abstract

This study examined the extent to which participation in a formal network has on a principal's personal perception of burnout as measured by the Maslach Burnout Inventory for Educators (MBI-E). The MBI-E consists of 22 questions with responses indicated on a 7 point Likert scale ranging from 0 - 6. It measures three constructs of emotional exhaustion, depersonalization, and personal accomplishment. Analysis was completed on data obtained by surveying principals in New York City and Washington, DC that were also members of National School Leaders Network. The researcher added 12 questions to the MBI-E in order to examine the categories of gender, age, highest degree earned, state in which they are principal, type of school, level of school, enrollment, years as a principal, extent of burnout and extent of burnout since becoming a network member. Reliability coefficients indicate the survey items were significantly correlated to each other within each construct of the MBI-E. Demographic characteristics were combined with each construct and analyzed. The findings support the conclusion that principals generally report experiencing less perceived burnout since becoming an SLN member. These were not significant findings of any specific demographic characteristic having a greater impact on perceived burnout. Recommendations were made relating to the creation of formal principal networks as a means of professional development to reduce burnout. The outcomes of this study furthered the research on principal burnout. Based on the findings, there continues to be a strong need for effective professional development for principals in order to reduce principal burnout. Furthermore, issues on how to retain younger principals were also revealed. Further studies addressing either topic are warranted.