Power Distance Between Principals and Teachers and Teacher Outcomes

• In Event: Working With Teachers: Leadership That Fosters Collaboration for Improvement

Abstract

This study examined how power distance in school decision making between teachers and their principal is associated with individual teachers’ job satisfaction, commitment, and retention. Using data from the 2011-12 Schools and Staffing Survey and the 2015-16 National Teacher and Principal Survey, we found that power distance in school decision making between teachers and their principal was positively associated with all three teacher outcomes. In particular, power distance in discipline-managerial decision making played a greater role in improving teacher outcomes than that in learning and instructional decision making.

Authors

• Joo-Ho Park, Hanyang University

• Soo-yong Byun, The Pennsylvania State University - University Park

• In Heok Lee, University of Georgia

• Hyejin Lee, Hanyang University