Failure of Administrators to Clearly Communicate Mandated Policies and Procedures: Its Impact on the Performance of Employees at an Adult Education Institution

Executive Summary Failure of Administrators to Clearly Communicate Mandated Policies and Procedures: Its Impact on the Performance of Employees at an Adult Education Institution. Denise Malcolm, 2024: Strategic Research Project, Nova Southeastern University, Abraham S. Fischler College of Education and School of Criminal Justice. Keywords: adult education, SWOT analysis, Quantitative Strategic Planning Matrix (QSPM), effective communication, external training, strategic planning The three campuses of Brevard Adult and Community Education adult education institutions offer technical and vocational training, high school diploma, GED, and ESOL preparation classes for students and community members. There is a gap between administrators requiring teachers to use technology in their jobs, and the institutional support, provision and investment in employee training. The strategic research project was designed to analyze the strengths, weaknesses, opportunities, and threats (SWOT) of these institutions to determine the sustainability of these institutions in the county while striving to meet their institutions mission, vision, and values. The systems thinking theory formed the basis from which all administrators, employees, stakeholders, and campuses were identified and included in the strategic research process. A total of 10 strengths, 10 weaknesses, 10 opportunities, and 10 threats, were identified, and rates ranging from 1-4 were assigned to each factor in the analysis to decide on the major factors that needed to be addressed to improve the operations of the institutions. From the SWOT analysis and the IFE and EFE matrix, the lack of communication was identified as the major problem in and across the three campuses. The QSPM was used to calculate a total attractiveness score from the factors in the SWOT analysis and the ratings assigned to each factor in the IFE and EFE. The total attractiveness score was then used to compare various strategies and from two strategies: on-the-job training and external training, a decision was made to implement external training in effective communication for all employees in the institutions. The action plan will provide individual and institutional training provided by external facilitators during an academic year to close the gap and eliminate the communication challenges. The suggested recommendations from the strategic plan include mandatory employee training at the beginning of each academic year to include new and existing employees, leaders and employees team teach at different campuses, training should be approached using systems thinking approach, and administrators and stakeholders should be encouraged to invest and participate in employee training programs.