Date of Award

4-2012

Degree Name

Doctor of Philosophy

Department

Educational Leadership, Research and Technology

First Advisor

Dr. Walter L. Burt

Second Advisor

Dr. Charles Warfield

Third Advisor

Dr. Wilson

Keywords

Professional learning communities, high school teachers, teachers' perceptions

Abstract

This study examined differences in perception of teachers in high schools that had implemented PLCs and high schools that had not implemented PLCs. The purpose of the study was to determine whether there were statistically significant differences in the perception of teachers in the two separate groups in terms of how they incorporated instructional strategies that were associated with PLCs. The sample from which teachers were selected included high school teachers from a large Midwestern county.

The Professional Learning Community Assessment-Revised (PLCA-R; Olivier, Hipp, & Huffman, 2010) survey instrument was used to measure the perception of teachers across six different domains of a PLC. This study attempted to determine whether: (1) there were statistically significant differences in the perceptions of teachers in schools with and without professional learning communities across the six dimensions associated with professional learning communities; and (2) gender, ethnicity, number of years teaching, and curricular content influenced the perception of teachers on the six domains associated with a professional learning community. Utilizing an ex post facto design, the researcher administered two separate instruments, the PLCA-R and a demographic survey to test the five research questions. Of the 1,143 instruments uploaded to a secured website, 221 teachers (or 19.3%) completed the survey instruments. A one-way MANOVA was used to determine if there was a statistically significant difference in the perception of teachers in the two types of schools. The 0.05 level of confidence was used for determining statistical significance. Findings in this study indicate that teachers in schools without PLCs had more positive perceptions regarding PLCs than their corresponding counterparts. In addition, gender and content area taught did not appear to have any influence on teachers' perceptions of PLCs. Consideration should be given to expanding the sample size to include school districts that are more representative of school districts in the state and nation. Teacher training institutions should consider including the foundations of PLCs and how PLCs should be implemented in their curriculum. Professional organizations should take a more proactive role in providing continuous training to practicing teachers in districts that implement PLCs.

Comments

This dissertation is unavailable because permission has not been granted by the author. A print copy is available in the WMU Education Library (Sangren Hall) under call number LB 9999.2 G739

Access Setting

Dissertation-Campus Only

Restricted to Campus until

4-15-2032

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