شبكة المعلومات العربية التربوية

This study examines K-12 public school administrators' attitudes and beliefs toward the public school budget-building process in emirate Abu Dhabi, UAE. This quantitative study examines the relationship between administrators' attitudes and adopted beliefs about school budget-building. Specifically, this study investigates if school administrators' backgrounds have an effect on administrators' attitudes and beliefs as it pertains to school budget-development in the UAE. Ninety-three kindergarten, primary, and secondary school-based administrators (principals and vice-principals) employed in 50 public schools throughout Al-Ain City (in Abu Dhabi), UAE participated in the study. A survey instrument consisting of 11 demographic and background items and 29 statements concerning school administrators' attitudes toward school budget-development and allocation was used to gather the data. Participants were asked to provide their attitude along a strongly agree/strongly disagree continuum. Public school budget-building in the UAE is developed by policy makers in the Ministry of Education (MOE). On-site school administrators are not involved in the budget-building process. The study is important for the formulation and implementation of school-based budget policies, and for the design of budget-development reform initiatives and budget-training programs supporting UAE school administrators to be more effective leaders. (Author’s abstract)