Teachers' Perceptions of Shared Decision Making

This mixed methods research study was conducted to examine teachers' perceptions of shared decision making. The Teacher Involvement and Participation Scale, version 2, was used to explore decision making across eight dimensions. Teachers' perceptions were compared between leadership team members and non-members, at differing school levels, and as an effect of increased years of teaching experience. Completion of, "I would improve Shared Decision Making in my school by ___," provided data for emergent themes. Statistical procedures included descriptive statistics, independent t-tests, and one-way analysis of variance (ANOVA). Rankings of teachers' perceptions of involvement in shared decision making from most to least involvement were: Goals/Vision/Mission, Standards, Staff Development, Curriculum/Instruction, Facilitating Procedures and Structures, Budget, School Operations, and Staffing. No statistically significant differences were found between leadership team members' and non-members' perceptions of shared decision making. No statistically significant differences were found in perceptions at varying school levels in the dimension of Staffing. Perceptions of involvement in Staff Development at the high school level differed significantly from middle school, but not from elementary school. High school teachers' perceptions differed significantly from both elementary and middle school teachers in six dimensions. No statistically significant differences were found as an effect of increased years of teaching experience. Themes found most often were Involve More People in the Decision Making Process, Improve Communication, and Increase Teacher Input/Involvement.I. INTRODUCTION .................................................................................. 1 Statement of the Problem ..................................................................... 3 Theoretical Basis of the Study .............................................................. 4 Purpose of the Study ............................................................................ 6 Descriptive Investigations ..................................................................... 7 Research Questions ............................................................................. 9 Hypothesis ............................................................................................ 9 Definition of Terms .............................................................................. 10 Procedures ......................................................................................... 10 Significance of the Study .................................................................... 12 Limitations of the Study....................................................................... 12 Organization of the Study ................................................................... 14 II. REVIEW OF LITERATURE ................................................................ 16 Evolution of Leadership within Society ............................................... 17 Leadership within Schools .................................................................. 21 Principal Leadership in Effective Schools ........................................... 25 Shared Decision Making ..................................................................... 34 Teacher Involvement and Participation Scale (TIPS 2)....................... 50 Summary ............................................................................................ 53 III. METHODOLOGY ............................................................................... 57 Participants ......................................................................................... 57 Presentation of Ethical Considerations ............................................... 59 v Design of the Study ............................................................................ 60 Instrumentation ................................................................................... 60 Data Collection ................................................................................... 63 Descriptive Analysis ............................................................................ 65 Data Analysis ...................................................................................... 66 Summary ............................................................................................ 67 IV. FINDINGS AND DATA ANALYSIS .......................................................... 68 Instrumentation ................................................................................... 68 Data Collection Procedures ................................................................ 69 Sample ................................................................................................ 69 Data Analysis and Findings ................................................................ 70 Summary ............................................................................................ 86 V. SUMMARY, CONCLUSIONS, DISCUSSION, IMPLICATIONS FOR FUTURE PRACTICE, AND RECOMMENDATIONS FOR FUTURE RESEARCH ............................................................................................. 88 Synopsis of the Study ......................................................................... 88 Conclusions ........................................................................................ 90 Limitations of the Study....................................................................... 98 Discussion .......................................................................................... 99 Implications for Future Practice ........................................................ 107 Recommendations for Future Research ........................................... 108 REFERENCES ................................................................................................. 109 Appendix A: Permission from School Superintendent to Conduct Study .......... 123 Appendix B: Permission from TIPS 2 Developer to Use Instrument ................. 124 vi Appendix C: Institutional Review Board Approval Form .................................... 125 Appendix D: Consent to Participate Form ......................................................... 126 Appendix E: Teacher Involvement and Participation Scale, version 2 .............. 127Livingston, Martha J.Bass, Randall V.Pate, James L.Argyle, Nolan J.Ed.D.Educational Leadershi