The Relationships Between Teachers' Perceptions of Principal Leadership and Teachers' Perceptions of School Climate

Abstract

This research considered relationships among teachers' perceptions of principal leadership and teachers' perceptions of school climate by using the Leadership Practices Inventory (LPI) survey and the Organizational Climate Description Questionnaire (Revised) for Middle Schools (OCDQ-RM) survey. Teachers from six middle schools in the same district participated in the study. Teachers also responded to five demographic questions pertaining to gender, age, years of teaching experience, length of time with principal, and level of education. The findings indicated that the subscales of the LPI were inter-correlated while the subscales of the OCDQ-RM were independent. Male teachers tended to perceive principals as being more restrictive than did female teachers. The data indicated that there were differences in perceptions of teachers based upon length in the profession. Teachers' perceptions of principal leadership behaviors were related to their perceptions of school climate. High scores on the LPI, as perceived by teachers, suggested that teachers perceived the school climate to be open. Conversely, low scores on the LPI, as perceived by teachers, indicated a closed school climate. In addition, the study indicated that beginning teachers did not feel open or have professional interactions with veteran teachers. In general, the teachers perceived principal behavior to be influential on school climate.