nt" (p. 29).
One of the key roles of the principal is decision maker. Webster (1994) found that principals enjoy a higher degree of autonomy than reflected in recent literature on the subject: "The movement toward site-based decision making, although in many cases in its beginning stages, is starting to become a significant element in managing schools, with the principal now receiving greater freedom in making decisions" (p. 24). Principals establish the ground rules for the participation of other school staff in the decision making process. The principal has considerable authority in personnel matters. The principal also plays a key role in dispensing funds allocated to the school for instructional supplies and classroom materials. Unfortunately, the principal has little control over the level of funding received by the schools; thus financial constraints are a source of considerable frustration (Lopez, 1995, p. 28). Because curricula is usually established at the state and district levels, principals have the least amount of authority in this particular area.
One of the roles that principals feel the least effective in is the role of change agent. Efforts to improve the quality of education through instituting innovative programs are too often met with
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