Leadership and School Quality is the twelfth in a series on research and theory dedicated to advancing our understanding of schools through empirical study and theoretical analysis. Hence, the chapters include analyses that investigate relationships between school organizations and leadership behaviors that have an impact on teacher and school effectiveness.

This is a study of the predictors of collective responsibility. Research indicates strong links between collegial behavior, faculty trust in colleagues, and effectiveness (Tarter, Sabo, & Hoy, 1995). Trust as a construct related to collective responsibility is grounded in the logic that building trust between teachers leads to the development of school cultures that promote teacher collaboration (Whalan, 2012). This study examined surveys from 60 elementary schools in Northwest Alabama investigating faculty trust in the principal, collegial trust, and collegial principal leadership, to determine predictors of collective responsibility while controlling for SES. Faculty trust in the principal and faculty trust in colleagues were measured using the Omnibus Trust Scale, collegial principal leadership was measured using the Organizational Climate Index, and Collective Responsibility was measured using the Collective Responsibility Scale. The research results indicated a significant relationship between trust in colleagues and collective responsibility. A significant relationship was not indicated between trust in the principal and collective responsibility or collegial principal leadership and collective responsibility. Also, noteworthy was the finding that SES was not a significant predictor of collective responsibility.

Publisher Description

This new, hands-on guide is a valuable resource for both current and aspiring school leaders. The Trust Factor presents real-world examples and relevant research to help you develop the essential skills you need for building trust with everyone on staff. The strategies in this book are explained with simple, easy-to-implement steps you can apply immediately to your own practice, and are accompanied by reflection questions and self-assessment tools to help you succeed.

This hands-on guide is a valuable resource for both current and aspiring school leaders. Written in short, easy-to-read chapters, The Trust Factor, 2nd Edition presents real-world examples and relevant research to help you develop the essential skills you need for building trust with staff, teachers, students, and parents. The Trust Factor provides updated versions of over 50 practical strategies that will help you learn to: Recognize and avoid behaviors that damage trust Repair trust when it has been broken Navigate challenging situations, such as teacher evaluations, student discipline, parent complaints, or scarce resources Establish and sustain trust with faculty, staff, students, and community Approach social media in a way that builds trust with the community. The guidance in this book is explained with simple, easy-to-implement steps you can apply immediately to your own practice, and are accompanied by reflection questions and self-assessment tools to help practicing or aspiring educational leaders succeed.

This book contributes significantly to our understanding of successful school leaders by describing similarities and differences in the work of such leaders in countries ranging from England to Australia, the United States to Norway, and Sweden to Hong Kong. Bringing together case study research, the book helps explain what all successful principals do and the ways in which context shapes some of their work.