The Trust-Communication Connection in the Implementation of Race to the Top Policy Innovations

• In Event: Dimensions of Communication: School and District Culture, Climate, and Efficacy

Abstract

This paper describes the trust-communication connections found in elementary schools with higher than predicted (i.e. “odds-beating) and predicted (“typical”) student outcomes despite higher than average poverty and/or diversity. The overarching research question was: What forces, factors, and actors account for Race-to-the-Top policy innovation implementation differences between odds-beating and typical schools? A mixed method, multiple case study design provided data from nine schools including 69 interviews, 45 focus groups, 49 classroom observations and 205 documents. Analyses yielded the finding that odds-beating schools shared two kinds of communications patterns: Intra-school and district office-school. These two kinds of communications patterns were mutually constitutive with relational and reciprocal trust and together they help explicate unique characteristics of leadership for the implementation of innovative policies.

Authors

• Francesca T. Durand, The Sage Colleges

• Kristen C. Wilcox, University at Albany - SUNY

• Hal A. Lawson, University at Albany - SUNY

• Karen Gregory, University at Albany - SUNY