A Longitudinal Social Network Analysis of Beliefs and Peer Influence Within a District-Wide Leadership Team

• In Event: Networks and Improvement Communities

Abstract

This study addresses important social processes through which educational leaders come to understand the Common Core State Standards (CCSS). We investigate the coevolution of social networks among educational leaders and their beliefs about CCSS at multiple time points using stochastic actor-oriented model in RSiena. Data include a districtwide leadership team in one school district in California that has completed the study over time. Findings suggest dynamic processes of relationship formation and adaption of CCSS beliefs as well as homophilous tendencies around beliefs and peer influence in forming professional relationships around CCSS. This study sheds new light on social processes through which leaders go about implementing reform and contributes to research and field knowledge in informing leadership and improvement.

Authors

• Yi-Hwa Liou, National Taipei University of Education

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

• Jasperina Brouwer, University of Groningen