Comparing Traditional and Multilevel Factor Analysis: Understanding the Multilevel Structure of Trust Among Teachers

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

Abstract

Research has demonstrated the importance of school culture to the success of schools and the improvement of student learning as aspects of culture, such as relational trust, have been positively linked to teacher collaboration, student achievement, and more. However, studies have neglected the multilevel nature of constructs as survey items are factor analyzed only at the teacher or school level to create measures. In this paper, we use multilevel factor analysis and structural equation modeling to explore how trust among teachers relates to important indicators of school improvement efforts such as teacher collaboration and instructional quality. Results show that the use of multilevel factor analysis provides higher coefficients and standard errors than models that employ single level factor analysis.

Authors

• Dan Berebitsky, Southern Methodist University

• Anne Garrison Wilhelm, Southern Methodist University

• Tricia Baumer, Dallas Independent School District