Effects of School Academic Optimism and Organizational Climate on School Effectiveness

• In Event: 33.079 - Roundtable Session 12
  In Roundtable Session: 33.079-6 - Values, Beliefs, and Trust in Schools

Abstract

An investigation into the relationship of organizational climate and academic optimism as predictors of school effectiveness was conducted. De-identified secondary data from 67 elementary schools in the Northern portion of Alabama were used. The instrumentation for this study included School Academic Optimism Survey (SAOS), Organizational Climate Index (OCI), and the SE Index. A bivariate correlation and three hierarchical linear regression models tested the effects of independent variables separately and together on school effectiveness with findings that suggested OCI and SAO both had an independent effect on school effectiveness above and beyond the effects of SES. However, SAO proved more potent a predictor than OCI, which may lend legitimacy to SAO as a means to improving school effectiveness.

Authors

• Nicole Danielle Vaux, The University of Alabama

• Roxanne M. Mitchell, The University of Alabama

• C. John Tarter, The University of Alabama