Conflict management strategies of principals in site-based managed schools

Site-based management depends on collaboration and teamwork among teachers, administrators, and parents. Collaborative decision making in educational systems is frequently characterized by conflict and disagreement, given differing perspectives and opinions among participants, and differing interests in the status quo. School principals, charged with facilitator roles in locally managed schools, are challenged to address resulting conflicts in ways that yield functional synergies and constructive outcomes which enable schools to respond to community needs. The purpose of this study is to develop a profile of preferred conflict management behaviors and strategies of a sample of principals in a large, urban school district who work in site-based managed schools. Results reflect these principals' preference for solution-oriented conflict strategies. Findings are discussed in terms of the changing leadership responsibilities of principals in site-based managed schools.