The Relationship Between Principals' Distributed Leadership and Teacher Turnover

• In Event: Poster Session 11
  In Poster Session: Division A Graduate Student Poster Session

Abstract

The purpose of this study was to explore the extent to which teachers' perceptions of distributed leadership predict teacher turnover while controlling for a net of teacher, principal, and school characteristics. This study measured two latent constructs: teachers' perceptions of distributed leadership in their schools and teachers' intentions to leave their jobs. Within distributed leadership, three sub-constructs were measured: leadership function, cohesive teamwork, and participative decision-making. The results of several stepwise logistic regressions indicated that teachers' perceived distributed leadership practices are significant predictors of teacher attrition at the elementary-middle and -high school levels. These results add to the findings of previous studies suggesting principal's distributed leadership practice is central to the teaching and learning process and promotes school improvement.

Authors

• Maria Jose Barros, The Pennsylvania State University - University Park

• Michael Cook, Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University