CANCELLED. Examining the Effects of a Professional Learning Community Initiative on School- and District-Level Teacher Networks Using Social Network Analysis

• In Event: 30.081 - Poster Session 5
  In Poster Session: 30.081-6 - Program Evaluation With a Purpose: Creating Equal Opportunities for Learning in Schools

Abstract

It is widely understood that access to high-quality instructional advice is a key factor in teacher improvement. However, teachers’ access to such advice is determined largely by accidents of proximity or personal affiliation rather than organizational design. This study used social network analysis (SNA) to explore longitudinal changes in school and district teacher networks before and after the enactment of a multi-year PLC initiative. In doing so, this study makes two primary contributions to the field. First, it suggests that leaders can and should design systems of teacher teaming that increase access to an instructional advice network. Second, it showcases how SNA can be used to empirically investigate how PLC initiatives affect network cohesion and access to instructional advice.

Authors

• Rebecca Mazur, University of Massachusetts - Amherst

• Rebecca H. Woodland, University of Massachusetts - Amherst

• Rachel Darley Gary, University of Massachusetts - Amherst