Discovering Exchange of Social Resources: Charter Management Organizations and Charter Schools

• In Event: Exploring Social Networks and Systemic Approaches to Influencing Student Achievement

Abstract

Charter Management Organizations (CMOs) support charter schools to improve student achievement in the face of increasing accountability policies. This important work of school improvement undertaken by CMOs is often socially constructed (Daly & Finnigan, 2012). For this reason, an investigation of social networks between CMO leadership and charter site administrators may shed light into social structure of the CMOs. This exploratory case study uses social network data to explore the underlying advice, vent, influence, and trust relations between leaders in a mid-size CMO. Results suggest sparse ties with vent, influence, and trust networks but dense advice ties, internally focused connections, and low reciprocity suggesting a need to increase social interaction to foster trust and to reduce uncertainty in relationships.

Authors

• Ahmet Uludag, Accord Institute for Education Research

• Alan J. Daly, University of California - San Diego

• Abdulkadir Bahar, Accord Institute for Education Research