Evolving an Instrument to Measure an Effective School

Abstract

INTRODUCTION

The purpose of this study is to evolve the indicators of an effective school climate. Specifically, this study seeks to answer the following questions: (1) Identify the dimensions of an effective school; (2) Enumerate the indicators of an effective school as perceived by top management, teachers, parents and students in terms of: Leadership Skills, School Curriculum (Content, Teaching Processes, and Assessment/Evaluation); School Facilities; Students Services; and School Culture; (3) Explain the significant differences in the perceptions of the four groups of respondents in terms of dimensions of school climate mentioned above.

METHODS

This study utilized the descriptive-qualitative method of research. Its main concern was to evolve with indicators placed in five dimensions of an effective school climate. The school dimensions namely: leadership, curriculum (content, processes, and assessment/ evaluation), school facilities, student services and school culture. Perceptions of the respondents were gathered through the accomplishment of a 58-item instrument. The responses varied along a four-point scale verbally described as Strongly Agree (4), Agree (3), Disagree (2) and Strongly Disagree (1). The data gathered from the survey questionnaire were subjected to statistical analysis that included frequencies, percentages, means, standard deviations, and the F test. The F test was used to determine if a significant difference existed among the means.

RESULTS

The results of the study revealed that the dimensions of an effective school were leadership, curriculum (content, processes, and assessment/evaluation), school facilities, student services and school culture. There was a significant difference in the stakeholders means perceptions in terms of leadership, curriculum, and school facilities. It appeared that the concerns of management were more understood by school administrators and teachers as expected more than students and parents do.

DISCUSSIONS

In line with the conclusions drawn from the findings of this study, the following recommendations were made: (1) Management of an effective school should focus on leadership, curriculum and school facilities, school managers should provide more forums and workshops;(2)School managers must use the developed instrument to gather information on school dimensions of effectiveness; (3) The developed instrument can also be used to identify the school variable to be enhanced.