The Relationship of Principal Leadership and Teacher Morale

i

The Relationship of Principal Leadership and Teacher Morale

A Dissertation Presented to the Faculty of the School of Education Liberty University

In Partial Fulfillment of the Requirements for the Degree Doctor of Education

By Keith A. Rowland March 2008

ii

The Relationship of Principal Leadership and Teacher Morale by Keith A. Rowland

APPROVED: COMMITTEE CHAIR Clarence C. Holland, Ed.D.

COMMITTEE MEMBERS

Samuel J. Smith, Ed.D.

Mark Angle, Ed.D.

CHAIR, GRADUATE STUDIES

Scott B. Watson, Ph.D.

iii

Abstract Keith A. Rowland. THE RELATIONSHIP OF PRINCIPAL LEADERSHIP AND TEACHER MORALE. (Under the direction of Dr. Clarence Holland) School of Education, March, 2008. This Study examined the relationship of the leadership practices of middle school principals and the morale of the teachers in these schools. Seven middle schools in a Metropolitan Atlanta school system participated in the study. The Leadership Practices Inventory was used to collect information on the principal practices and the Purdue Teacher Opinionaire was used to collect information on teacher morale. Results indicated that principal leadership and teacher morale were significantly correlated and that the leadership practice of Enable Others to Act had the strongest positive correlation to teacher morale. These results imply that a principal’s daily behavior plays a vital role in the environment of the school. Implications for practice and recommendations for further research are also included.

iv

Dedication This dissertation is dedicated to my parents, Gary and Dinah, who have always supported me fully and have made it possible for me to achieve my educational goals. Without them, this would not have been possible.

v

Acknowledgements The following people must be thanked and recognized for their contributions to this work. They have all helped to make the process of writing this dissertation successful. The committee chair, Dr. Clarence Holland,

References: Bhella, S. K. (1982). Principal’s leadership style: Does it affect teacher morale? Education, 102. 369-376. Retrieved September 24, 2006, from PsycINFO database. Bidwell, C. E. (1957). Some effects of administrative behavior: A study in role theory. Administrative Science Quarterly, 2(2), 163-181. Retrieved November 12, 2007, from Education Research Complete database. Blase, J., Blase, J. R. (1994). Empowering teachers: What successful principals do. Thousand Oaks, CA: Corwin Press. Cook, D. H. (1979). Teacher morale: Symptoms, diagnosis, and prescription. Clearing House, 52(8), 355-358. Egley, R. J., & Jones, B. D. (2005). Principals ' inviting leadership behaviors in a time of test-based accountability. Scholar-Practitioner Quarterly, 3(1), 13-24. Retrieved November 3, 2007, from Education Research Complete database. Evans, L. (1997). Understanding teacher morale and job satisfaction. Teaching and Teacher Education, 13, 831-845. Retrieved November 3, 2007, from PsycINFO database. Evans, V., & Johnson, D. J. (1990). The relationship of principals ' leadership behavior and teachers ' job satisfaction and job-related stress. Journal of Instructional Principal Leadership and Teacher Morale 72 Psychology, 17, 11-18 Hackman, M. Z., & Johnson, C. E. (2000). Leadership: The Communication Perspective. Prsopect Heights, IL: Waveland Press. Hardy, L. (1999). Why teachers leave. American School Board Journal, 186(6), 12-17. Hipp, K. A. (1997). Documenting the Effects of Transformational Leadership Behavior on Teacher Efficacy. (ERIC Document Reproduction Service No. ED407734) Retrieved September 24, 2006, from ERIC database. Hunter-Boykin, H. S., Evans, V. (1995). The relationship between high school principals’ leadership and teachers’ morale. Journal of Instructional Psychology, 22(2). 152162. Retrieved September 24, 2006, from Academic Search Premier database. Kelley, R. C., Thornton, B., & Daugherty, R. (2005). Relationships between measures of leadership and school climate. Education, 126, 17-25. (ERIC Document Reproduction Service No. EJ725153) Retrieved September 24, 2006, from ERIC database. Lippitt, G. L. (1969). Looking at leadership. Training and Development Journal, 23(10), 2-3. Retrieved March 12, 2008, from Academic Search Premier database. Liu, X. S., & Meyer, J. P. (2005). Teachers ' perceptions of their jobs: A multilevel analysis of the teacher follow-up survey for 1994–95. Teachers College Record, 107(5), 985-1003. Retrieved November 12, 2007, from Academic Search Premier database. Nguni, S., Sleegers, P., & Denessen, E. (2006). Transformational and transactional leadership effects on teachers ' job satisfaction, organizational commitment, and organizational citizenship behavior in primary schools: The Tanzanian case. Principal Leadership and Teacher Morale 74 School Effectiveness & School Improvement, 17(2), 145-177. Retrieved November 12, 2007, from Academic Search Premier database. Tye, B. B., & O 'Brien, L. (2002). Why are experienced teachers leaving the profession? Phi Delta Kappan, 84, 24-32. Retrieved November 12, 2007, from Academic Search Premier database. Principal Leadership and Teacher Morale 75 Usdan, M., McCloud, B., & Podmostko, M. (2000). Leadership for Student Learning: Reinventing the Principalship. Washington, DC: Institute of Educational Leadership. Wentworth, M. (1990). Developing Staff Morale. The Practitioner, 16(4).