The Trust Gap: Do Levels of Trust Differ Between Higher Performing Title 1 and Affluent Elementary Schools?

• In Event: Family-School Engagement in Diverse Environments

Abstract

Previous research on trust argues that Principals should establish stronger trust between teacher-parents and students (Sun et. al, 2023). The purpose of this study is to add further insight into how increasing trust between school personnel (Teachers) and clientele (Parents & Students) could assist in eradicating the economic gap between students, and challenge the idea that Principals alone, in low socio-economic schools have the bandwidth to effectively build teacher-parent trust to a level necessary to close economic gaps. Policy and programming suggestions are given that could lead to increasing the bandwidth gap between school leaders in low socio-economic schools and school leaders in affluent schools.

Authors

• Goldy Brown, Whitworth University

• Tina Salzman, University of Wisconsin - Madison