Date of Award

Summer 8-1-2007

Document Type

Dissertation

Degree Name

Doctor of Philosophy (PhD)

Department

Educational Leadership

First Advisor

Steve Gruenert

Second Advisor

Eric Hampton

Third Advisor

Todd Whitaker

Abstract

The two purposes of this mixed-method study were to (1) conduct a quantitative study that would investigate the correlation of collaborative cultures relative to student achievement, by assessing the cultures of 100 schools and (2) to look at specific schools, using qualitative study methods to better understand insights toward improvements in their culture scores and/or IS TEP third, sixth, or tenth grade scores. One hundred public schools were invited to participate with 81 of the schools being those that participated in a similar project four years ago (Gruenert, 2005). From those who chose not to participate or did not respond, additional schools were randomly selected from the Indiana State Board of Education Directory to bring the total number of schools invited to 127. School culture scores were obtained using the School Culture Survey developed by Gruenert and Valentine (1998). School culture scores were correlated with 2006 ISTEP Math and Language Arts scores. A multiple regression analysis was then conducted to determine which factors contributed to the greatest regarding the variance in factor scores. Five principals were chosen to participate in structured interviews based on their schools' culture scores, data from the 2002 administration of the survey, and 2006 I STEP scores. Statistical analysis of the data included descriptive statistics regarding the mean, correlation between the six factors and math and language scale scores, multiple regression of data with all six factors and the ISTEP scale scores. Significant correlations were found between factor 1 (Collaborative Leadership), factor 6 (Teacher/Parent Communications) and student achievement. Multiple regression analysis revealed that factor 6 was significant and contributed the greatest variance in factor scores.

Download

Share

COinS