Three-Level Hierarchical Linear Modeling Analyses of the Relationship Between Political Culture and Teacher Autonomy

• In Event: Moscone Center West Roundtable Session 7
  In Roundtable Session: Understanding the Complexity of Teachers' Lives: Examining Autonomy, Collaboration, and Safety

Abstract

The limits of teacher autonomy are defined by educational policies. Educational policies are driven by political culture. This study examined the relationship between teacher autonomy and political culture and how this relationship varied with teacher and school characteristics. Using the 2011-12 Schools and Staffing Survey, the three-level HLM analysis demonstrated that political culture was significantly associated with teacher autonomy. According to Elazar’s cultural typology, moralistic culture is associated with a higher level of teacher autonomy, traditionalistic culture is associated with lower levels of teacher autonomy, and the individualistic culture is in-between. Also, the more traditionalistic the culture, the stronger the association between positive school climate and teacher autonomy. This suggests that policymakers consider a moralistic approach in creating educational policies.

Author

• Da Li, University of Michigan - Ann Arbor