Degree Name

EdD (Doctor of Education)

Program

Educational Leadership

Date of Award

March 1997

Abstract

A descriptive study was conducted to identify teachers' and principals' perceptions of school climate in four stages of a change to block scheduling: Initiation, the first year of Implementation, the second year of Implementation, and the third year of Implementation or Institutionalization. Data were collected from 442 teachers and principals in nine high schools in the First Tennessee Regional District in a stratified purposeful random sample using the Organizational Health Index (OHI), a 44-item survey, and a demographic information sheet. The survey has seven dimensions: Institutional Integrity, Initiating Structure, Consideration, Principal Influence, Resource Support, Morale, and Academic Support. These dimensions and the Total Climate scores were analyzed in the four stages of the change process. Demographic variables included gender, job title, age, level of education, years of experience, and subject assignment. The data were analyzed with a t-test or an analysis of variance (ANOVA) to determine significant differences between and within groups, and a post-hoc test determined specific significant groups. There were no significant differences found in Total Climate scores or the Consideration dimension. There were also no significant differences in perceptions based on gender or education. There were significant differences found in all other dimensions and demographic variables. Block scheduling was found to have no effect to some positive effect on student learning and the way teachers teach. Block scheduling was not found to negatively affect school climate, and there is a need for continual professional development at each stage of the change process to address concerns revealed in this study.

Document Type

Dissertation - unrestricted

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