A Study of the Relationship Between Transformational
Total Page:16
File Type:pdf, Size:1020Kb
A STUDY OF THE RELATIONSHIP BETWEEN TRANSFORMATIONAL LEADERSHIP PRACTICES AND COLLECTIVE TEACHER EFFICACY A Dissertation Presented to The Graduate Faculty of the University of Akron In Partial Fulfillment of the Requirements for the Degree Doctor of Education Cameron M. Ryba December, 2018 A STUDY OF THE RELATIONSHIP BETWEEN TRANSFORMATIONAL LEADERSHIP PRACTICES AND COLLECTIVE TEACHER EFFICACY Cameron M. Ryba Dissertation Approved: Accepted: Advisor Acting Chair/Interim Dean Xin Liang, Ph.D. Jarrod Tudor, Ph.D. Committee Member Dean of the Graduate School Susan N. Kushner Benson, Ph.D. Chand K. Midha, Ph.D. Committee Member Date Susan G. Clark, Ph.D. Committee Member Alfred Daviso, Ph.D. Committee Member Kristin L. K. Koskey, Ph.D. ii ABSTRACT School principals are continually searching for leadership practices that have the potential to directly enhance adult behavior and indirectly and positively influence student achievement. Previous research has indicated that a positive and statistically significant relationship exists between collective teacher efficacy beliefs and principal transformational leadership practices (Demir, 2008; Ninkovic & Floric, 2018; Prelli, 2016; Ross & Gray, 2006). In addition, schools characterized by higher levels of collective teacher efficacy have demonstrated higher levels of student achievement. Previous studies of collective teacher efficacy have focused on group outcomes based on the levels of collective efficacy beliefs held by the teacher’s studied. However, the research examining the relationship between specific leadership practices associated with transformational leaders that may develop and/or strengthen collective teacher efficacy beliefs has been minimal. The purpose of this study was to examine whether principal transformational leadership practices statistically significantly predicted collective teacher efficacy beliefs amongst K-12 teachers, while taking the contextual conditions of building level and teacher experience into consideration. Participants consisted of voluntary educators from one school district serving five elementary schools, one middle school, and one high school. A total of 233 participants completed the Educational Leadership Survey, Collective Efficacy Scale: Short Form, and demographic questionnaire. Results from the hierarchical linear multiple regression indicated that transformational leadership practices, when taken collectively with the iii demographic variables of building level and teacher experience, statistically significantly predicted collective efficacy beliefs in teachers. The positive and statistically significant relationship between transformational leadership practices and collective teacher efficacy beliefs indicated that as transformational leadership practices increase, so does collective efficacy beliefs in teachers. The results of this study provide practical applications to the daily work of principals in the implementation of targeted transformational leadership practices that are the strongest predictors of collective efficacy beliefs of teachers. iv ACKNOWLEDGMENTS Completing this dissertation was a journey; a journey that started twelve years ago. Since starting in the Doctoral program I have had three advisors, five jobs moving my way up in educational administration, taught a few Masters courses, and was blessed with twin boys. Even though my journey took some twists and turns and took a little longer than most, it is the journey that makes reaching this goal all that more rewarding. You cannot take a journey like this and be successful without the support of others. First, I would like to acknowledge Dr. Sharon Kruse. Although her journey took her to another college, her care, guidance, and support as my first advisor was invaluable and gave me the drive to never let go of my goals as an educator. I would also like to thank Dr. Jarrod Tudor. If it weren’t for him, I would have not had the chance to restart and refocus my work with the University of Akron. He saw through the bureaucracies and gave someone he had never met a chance to move forward and for that I am eternally grateful. In addition, I would be remiss if I didn’t acknowledge Dr. Xin Liang for stepping up and taking on the role as my dissertation chair. She rebuilt my confidence in completing this study. She truly cared about me, my work, and was a cheerleader in my corner throughout this past year. Finally, I would like to share my sincere appreciation for my dissertation committee members, Dr. Kushner Benson, Dr. Clark, Dr. Daviso, and Dr. Koskey. Whether it was as a student in one of your classes, or the time, guidance, and feedback you provided as a committee member, I am deeply appreciative for the work that you have done on my behalf. v Furthermore, I offer my gratitude and appreciation to my Board of Education, administrative colleagues, and teachers of Strongsville City Schools. I cannot express how much your support, understanding, and participation in this study and my journey has meant to me. Albeit crucial to have the support of from your college and colleagues, there is no support more important than that of your family. A special thank you to my mom. Whether it was taking the kids so I could work or your constant encouragement, you inspired me to continue to reach this goal. Although my father will not see this achievement, I know he would be proud. Both my mom and dad continually modeled work ethic, discipline, and the importance of striving to get better each day. These are the values that they instilled in me, which helped me to keep working. However, none of this would have been possible without the love and support of my wife and boys. Thank you to my two outstanding sons, Brady and Evan, for being understanding and supportive when dad’s job kept him away during the week and the dissertation kept him away on the weekends. Your encouragement gave me comfort. Finally, if it were not for my wife, Kelly, I would have never achieved this goal. She put her goals aside so that I could achieve mine. When I wanted to throw in the towel, she pushed me forward. The achievement of this goal is as much hers as it is mine. vi TABLE OF CONTENTS LIST OF TABLES ............................................................................................................. xi LIST OF FIGURES .......................................................................................................... xii CHAPTER I INTRODUCTION ........................................................................................................... 1 Background to the Study ........................................................................................... 2 Purpose of the Study ................................................................................................. 6 Research Questions and Methodology...................................................................... 6 Significance of the Study .......................................................................................... 7 Definitions of Terms ................................................................................................. 9 II LITERATURE REVIEW ............................................................................................. 11 Transformational Leadership .................................................................................. 11 Educational Leadership ................................................................................. 12 Development of a Model of School-Based Transformational Leadership ... 15 Impact of Transformational Leadership on an Organization ........................ 19 Setting Directions................................................................................ 19 Developing People .............................................................................. 22 Redesigning the Organization ............................................................. 24 Improving the Instructional Program .................................................. 26 Contextual Consideration of Transformational Leadership .......................... 27 Teacher Efficacy ..................................................................................................... 29 vii Social Cognitive Theory and Human Agency .............................................. 29 Self-Efficacy and Teacher Efficacy .............................................................. 31 Sources of Teacher Efficacy Belief Development ........................................ 32 Collective Teacher Efficacy .................................................................................... 35 Theoretical Models of Collective Teacher Efficacy ..................................... 37 Enhancing Collective Teacher Efficacy ........................................................ 40 Organizational Conditions .................................................................. 41 Contextual Factors .............................................................................. 42 Influence of Transformational Leadership on Collective Teacher Efficacy ........... 44 Influence of Setting Directions on Collective Teacher Efficacy .................. 46 Influence of Developing People on Collective Teacher Efficacy ................. 48 Influence of Redesigning the Organization on Collective Teacher Efficacy ......................................................................................................... 48 Influence of Improving the Instructional Program on Collective Teacher Efficacy ........................................................................................................