Pursuing a Common Goal: How School Principals and After-school Directors Perceive Professional Culture of Collaboration

Abstract

Abstract

Using quantitative data from school principals (SPs) and after-school  program directors (ASDs) in 37 primary schools and after-school programs  (ASPs) in Switzerland, this study examines the Perceived Professional  Culture of Collaboration (PPCoC) as an aspect of school culture and  professionalism of educational staff. The group comparisons confirm that  the ASDs and SPs significantly differ on how they rate the PPCoC, even if  they belong to the same school context. However, this study did not find  significant group differences on the goals which the two leaders associate  with the development of the ASP. Regression analyses indicate that having  written guidelines focused on collaboration is the strongest predictor of a  positive rating of the PPCoC for both leaders. PPCoC ratings for ASDs were  additionally linked to their individual goals towards ASPs. Finally, this study  points out that organizational attributes and individual goals are connected to the development of a shared attitude towards collaboration (PPCoC) as an important aspect of the quantity and quality of ASP development, as a  means to define the goals and professionalize ASP practice.

Keywords: Professionalism, After-School Programs, Collaboration, Collective Attitudes, Organizational Development, School Culture

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Bibliography: Jutzi, Michelle/Schuepbach, Marianne/Frei, Lukas/Nieuwenboom, Wim/von Allmen, Benjamin: Pursuing a Common Goal: How School Principals and After-school Directors Perceive Professional Culture of Collaboration, IJREE, Vol. 4, Issue 1-2016, pp. 9-28. https://doi.org/10.3224/ijree.v4i1.24773