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<name>Effective Participatory School Administration, Leadership, and Management: Does It Affect The Trust Levels of Stakeholders?</name>
<metadata>
  <md:version>1.2</md:version>
  <md:created>2006/11/08 08:55:12 US/Central</md:created>
  <md:revised>2006/11/27 10:03:28.525 US/Central</md:revised>
  <md:authorlist>
      <md:author id="gamage">
      <md:firstname>David</md:firstname>
      
      <md:surname>Gamage</md:surname>
      <md:email>shayes06@vt.edu</md:email>
    </md:author>
      <md:author id="SanAntonio">
      <md:firstname>Diosdado</md:firstname>
      <md:othername>M.</md:othername>
      <md:surname>San Antonio</md:surname>
      <md:email>shayes06@vt.edu</md:email>
    </md:author>
  </md:authorlist>

  <md:maintainerlist>
    <md:maintainer id="gamage">
      <md:firstname>David</md:firstname>
      
      <md:surname>Gamage</md:surname>
      <md:email>shayes06@vt.edu</md:email>
    </md:maintainer>
    <md:maintainer id="ncpea">
      <md:firstname>National Council of Professors </md:firstname>
      
      <md:surname>National Council of Professors of Educational Administration </md:surname>
      <md:email>stdyxn12@shsu.edu</md:email>
    </md:maintainer>
    <md:maintainer id="SanAntonio">
      <md:firstname>Diosdado</md:firstname>
      <md:othername>M.</md:othername>
      <md:surname>San Antonio</md:surname>
      <md:email>shayes06@vt.edu</md:email>
    </md:maintainer>
  </md:maintainerlist>
  
  <md:keywordlist>
    <md:keyword>administration</md:keyword>
    <md:keyword>leadership</md:keyword>
    <md:keyword>management</md:keyword>
  </md:keywordlist>

  <md:abstract>This paper reports upon a study on the effectiveness of participatory school administration, leadership and management (PSALM) as perceived by 282 stakeholders in one school division in the Philippines. The study also examined the correlation between the indicators of PSALM effectiveness and the trust levels of the stakeholders.  Questionnaires were used to gather data and responses were tabulated and analyzed using the SPSS. Findings show that the following indicators of PSALM effectiveness were significantly related to the stakeholders’ levels of trust: usefulness of committee structure, satisfactory composition of the advisory school council (ASC), adequacy of information for ASC decision-making, adequacy of time for doing ASC business, ASC influence on teaching and learning, and overall ASC functioning.  It is suggested that school leaders wishing to enhance the levels of trust among the stakeholders in their schools should consider these indicators of PSALM effectiveness in carrying out their leadership duties and responsibilities.</md:abstract>
</metadata>
<content>
<para id="element-558"><media type="image/jpg" src="logo.gif"/></para><note>This module has been peer-reviewed, accepted, and sanctioned by the National Council of the Professors of Educational Administration (NCPEA) as a scholarly contribution to the knowledge base in educational administration.</note><para id="element-146">Introduction</para><para id="element-169">The perennial challenge facing school systems worldwide is how to improve student-learning outcomes.  In the pursuit of improvements, educators introduce various innovations. Today, most of these innovations are being introduced in the field of educational management to encourage decentralization and implementation of collaborative school governance (Anderson, 1998; Chan and Chui, 1997; Walker and Dimmock, 2000). The usual manifestation of this worldwide trend for decentralization and devolution of authority to the school level can be referred to as the school-based management (SBM) phenomenon. SBM involves the formal change in the structures of school governance that leads to a more democratic administrative approach in which planning and decision making are devolved to the individual school (Doran, 1999). This governance structure features school councils composed of representatives from various stakeholder groups.  The presence of these governing councils provides abundant opportunities for the practice of participatory school administration, leadership and management (PSALM).  PSALM, as used in this paper, refers to the involvement of various stakeholders in the management of schools through their membership in an Advisory School Council (ASC).
This paper first briefly discusses how PSALM and the building of trust contribute to better school outcomes.  Next, the Philippine public school context is described before the research scope, purpose and methodology are clarified.  Moreover, the respondents’ perceptions on the effectiveness of PSALM are considered.  The trust levels of stakeholders who implemented PSALM are then looked into.  Finally, these perceptions on the effectiveness of PSALM are related to the levels of trust among the stakeholders before the conclusions are presented.</para><section id="id4148640">
<name>Adopting PSALM for Better Outcomes</name>
<para id="id6766237">Practicing participatory management has been
long acknowledged as an essential ingredient in the quest for
better schools. In characterizing successful schools, researchers
commonly list five school-level factors, which include
collaborative planning/collegial work and parental/community
participation (Creemers, 1994; Edmonds, 1979; Joyce, 1991; Marzano,
2003; Purkey &amp; Smith, 1983). Golarz and Golarz (1995) assert
that “high levels of parental involvement and support,
collaborative collegial instructional planning, individual school
autonomy and the resulting flexibility” (p. 3) are effective school
characteristics that justify the implementation of participatory
governance. In fact, Cheng and Cheung (2003) have observed that
efforts to enhance organizational effectiveness since 1990s have
featured participative management. As Caldwell and Spinks (1992)
point out, securing a “synergy of communities” (p. 131) is the key
to attainment of educational benefits. It should be noted, however,
that attempts to involve stakeholders should be geared beyond mere
participation but towards meaningful involvement (Waters, Marzano,
&amp; McNulty, 2003).</para>
<para id="id7800859">Research findings show that allowing teachers
and stakeholders to take part in decision-making yields salutary
results. Employee satisfaction, motivation, morale and self-esteem
are affected positively by involvement in decision-making and
implementation (Chapman &amp; Boyd, 1986; Doyle &amp; Wells, 1996;
Driscoll, 1978; English, 1979; Gamage &amp; Pang, 2003; Hargreaves
&amp; Hopkins, 1991; Hunton, Hall, &amp; Price, 1998; Jenkins Jr.
&amp; Lawler III, 1981; Lawler III, Mohrman, &amp; Ledford Jr.,
1992; Lindelow &amp; Bentley, 1989; Locke &amp; Schweiger, 1979;
Vroom, 1960; Watkins, 1985). Similarly, employee commitment and
loyalty are fostered by collaborative school management practices
(Beyerlein, Freedman, McGee, &amp; Moran, 2003; Chapman &amp; Boyd,
1986; Hargreaves &amp; Hopkins, 1991; Wong, 2003). Moreover,
researchers claim that better decisions and greater efficiency are
reached since issues are discussed extensively via open
communication among people having varying viewpoints involved in
participative set-ups (Connors, 1978; Dachler &amp; Wilpert, 1978;
Fidler &amp; Bowles, 1989; Gamage, 1996b; Hargreaves &amp; Hopkins,
1991; Hoy &amp; Tarter, 1993; Likert, 1967; Lindelow &amp; Bentley,
1989; Lindelow, Coursen, Mazzarella, Heynderickx, &amp; Smith,
1989; Locke &amp; Schweiger, 1979; Owens, 1998; Powers &amp;
Powers, 1983; Rosener, 1990).</para>
<para id="id16982628">Another noteworthy impact of participatory
management is that participants tend to have a sense of ownership
of change initiatives and eventually extend stronger support to
realize the goals of such efforts (Duke, Showers, &amp; Imber,
1980; Gamage, 1996c; Hargreaves &amp; Hopkins, 1991; Kefford, 1985;
Lindelow &amp; Bentley, 1989; Melcher, 1976). Implementing
participative management practices is also known to yield the
following benefits: heads cannot easily manipulate people (Watkins,
1985); teachers are given a sense of control over their own working
lives (Weiss, Cambone, &amp; Wyeth, 1992); power inequities are
balanced (Harchar &amp; Hyle, 1996); and additional resources
become available to the organization (Gamage, Sipple, &amp;
Partridge, 1996; King &amp; Swanson, 1990; Lienhart &amp; Willert,
2002).</para>
<para id="id9683286">Enhancing Trust in Schools for Better
Results</para>
<para id="id9413226">Aside from participatory approaches, enhancing
the levels of trust within the school community attains educational
benefits (Blase &amp; Blase, 2001; Tschannen-Moran, 2001). Trust as
used in this paper means that someone feels confident and assured
in allowing something to be in the care or control of another
(Tschannen-Moran &amp; Hoy, 1998). Bryk and Schneider (2002) argue
that allowing relational trust to grow in a school community
triggers the effective interplay of the various factors towards
academic productivity. In fostering trust, certain aspects of
participatory practices have been found to be essential. These
practices are open communication (Blase &amp; Blase, 2001; Butler
Jr., 1991; Hoffman, Sabo, Bliss, &amp; Hoy, 1994; Saunders &amp;
Thornhill, 2003); and supportive and collegial behavior of the
leader (Hoy, Sabo, &amp; Barnes, 1996; Tarter &amp; Hoy, 1998;
Tschannen-Moran &amp; Hoy, 1998).</para>
<para id="id7792815">A variety of benefits can be derived by
organizations who can foster an atmosphere of trust
(Tschannen-Moran, 2001). To stress the value of trust in schools,
Blasé and Blasé (2001) wrote: “the reward of a trusting environment
is immeasurable, yet the price of lack of trust is dear” (p. 23).
They add that when there is trust, people are able to work together
in identifying and solving problems. Siegall and Worth (2001)
report that greater trust in the administration yields more
positive work outcomes among faculty members. In high-trust groups
the socially generated uncertainty is minimal and problem solving
is more effective (Zand, 1972). Hargreaves (2001) argues that high
levels of trust hasten the establishment of strong networks and
collaborative relations among the members and stakeholders in a
school rich in social capital. As Coleman (1988) notes, “a group
within which there is extensive trust is able to accomplish much
more than a comparable group without trustworthiness and trust” (p.
S101).</para>
<para id="id14819643">Successful implementation of SBM or any form
of school renewal is hinged on trust (Daniels, 1996; Lindelow &amp;
Heynderickx, 1989; Spilman, 1995/1996). Gamage (1996a; 1998) states
that trust and confidence between the teachers and students or the
teachers and parents in schools with open climates promote unity in
the school community towards the attainment of goals for greater
school effectiveness. When trust and collaborative spirit pervade
at faculty meetings, collegiality is fostered (Edwards, Green,
&amp; Lyons, 2002). Additionally, Driscoll (1978) argues that
people who have stronger trust in the organization’s decision
makers tend to be more satisfied with their level of
participation.</para>
<para id="id14479409">Similarly, a study of trust-effectiveness
patterns in 79 American Midwestern schools concluded that high
trust among parents and teachers in a high socio-economic status
school leads to positive teacher efficacy beliefs, enabling school
structures and high academic performance (Forsyth, Barnes, &amp;
Adams, 2006). Forsyth and colleagues (2006) also found that
parents’ trust influences academic performance more than the
teachers’ trust. Indeed, it can be said that trust brings about
salient benefits to the organization in the form of better
performance outcomes.</para>
</section>
<section id="id15166779">
<name>The Philippine Public School System in Context</name>
<para id="id10562807">During the school year 2004-2005, the
Department of Education (DepED) in the Philippines served the needs
of more than 17 million students in the public elementary and
secondary schools. DepED has sixteen regional offices headed by
directors, serving 185 provincial and city school divisions managed
by schools division superintendents. There are 41,769 public
schools - 37,000 elementary and 4,769 secondary.</para>
<para id="id15168243">The Department of Education (DepED) was
previously known as the Department of Education, Culture and Sports
(DECS). At present, DepED takes care only of basic education –
education at the elementary and secondary levels. The Commission on
Higher education administers tertiary and postgraduate education
while the Technical Education and Skills Development Authority
manages technical and vocational education.</para>
<para id="id14222540">The decentralization of the administration of
public schools has been an on-going initiative from the top
management officials of both the DepED and Congress. DECS Order No.
17 of 1997 vested the school principals with instructional,
administrative and fiscal autonomy. Five years ago, the school
superintendents were authorized to perform tasks previously carried
out by the regional directors in pursuant to DECS Order No. 4 of
2001. The appointment of head teachers, principals, and supervisors
by superintendents are examples of these delegated tasks. Republic
Act 9155 of 2001 mandates the implementation of shared governance
in the administration of public schools. The said educational
legislation grants authority, responsibility, and accountability to
school heads along twelve areas including: the development of the
school improvement programs; management of school resources; and
fostering of active school-family-community linkages. However, it
should be noted that there is no mandate to create school councils
in the Philippine public schools. Its existing version of SBM is
anchored on an empowered school principal. The different
educational stakeholders have their respective associations like
the Faculty Club, Student Council, Parents-Teachers Association,
and Alumni Organization. However, no school council, that
synergizes the efforts of these sectors in the performance of
school management functions, exists in most public elementary and
secondary schools.</para>
<para id="id13306962">An encouraging development in the Philippines
is the try-out of SBM in schools covered under the Third Elementary
Education Project (TEEP) funded by the World Bank (WB) and the
Japan Bank for International Cooperation (JBIC). Twenty-three
school divisions in the country’s poorest provinces were included
in the TEEP, which was introduced in 1997. Another recent positive
step being taken by system-level administrators towards large-scale
SBM is the Schools First Initiative launched by former Secretary
Abad (2004). In addition, the Basic Education Assistance for
Mindanao (BEAM), a project funded by the Australian Agency for
International Development (AusAID) stresses school-community
partnership in improving the quality of and access to basic
education. Recently, the newly appointed education secretary Jesli
Lapus has announced that one of the major approaches he intends to
adopt in improving the public schools is school-based management
(Martinez-Clemente, 2006).</para>
<para id="id15620440">Scope and Purpose of the Study</para>
<para id="id12441036">This paper primarily aims to look into how
the indicators of PSALM effectiveness relate to the levels of trust
among the stakeholders. Specifically, the paper attempts to:
determine the perceptions of the stakeholders on the effectiveness
of PSALM; assess the trust levels of stakeholders who have
implemented PSALM; and find out whether the indicators of PSALM
effectiveness are related to the stakeholders’ levels of
trust.</para>
<para id="id16510836">Methodology and Research Design</para>
<para id="id15725443">This study employed the correlational
research design. In correlational studies, the basic aim is to
measure and describe a relationship between two variables by
determining the magnitude and direction of such a relationship, if
any exists (Gravetter &amp; Wallnau, 2004; Pagano, 1998).
Relationships do not necessarily suggest causation.</para>
<para id="id6679198">Participants</para>
<para id="id11966744">Respondents in this study came from one of
the 185 school divisions in the Philippines. Two hundred eighty two
out of 368 stakeholders who implemented participatory school
management returned completed questionnaires. This represents a
76.63 percent response rate.</para>
<para id="id5874274">Instruments</para>
<para id="id5874277">An existing instrument for measuring trust was
used with appropriate adaptations to suit the needs of this
research. A six-point Likert response format (1 – strongly
disagree, 2 – disagree, 3 – slightly disagree, 4 – slightly agree,
5 – agree, and 6 – strongly agree) was used. As pointed out by
Anderson and Bourke (2000), even number of response categories tend
to produce better scale reliability when compared with odd number
ones. Other researchers contend, however, that odd number of
response categories offer wider choices to respondents. In this
case, it is acknowledged that this is one of the limitations of
this study.</para>
<para id="id12231613">The scale for trust validated by Hoy and
Kupersmith (1985) was utilized. Originally, it was a six-point
Likert type scale of 21 items grouped into three measures. The
seven-item measure for trust in the principal was used in this
study. Items were modified to refer not only to the principal but
the teachers as well. This measure had all items loading higher
than .6 in the factor analysis with an alpha coefficient of .93.
After using principal component analysis and varimax rotation with
Kaiser normalization, two factors were extracted from the results
of the first survey. It was then decided to use only the four items
that comprised the first factor in the final data analysis. The
Kaiser-Meyer-Olkin (KMO) measure of sampling adequacy was .788 with
Bartlett’s test of sphericity p. &lt; .001, indicating sampling
adequacy and good factorability. In the survey, items 2, 4, 6 and 7
in the original trust scale yielded a Cronbach’s alpha reliability
of .794 while the factor loadings in the principal component
analysis and varimax rotation ranged from .700 to .843.</para>
<para id="id12140453">Another questionnaire, originally developed
by Gamage (1996c), was used to determine the perceptions of the
participants on the operational effectiveness of the ASCs, the
scheme introduced as a mode of implementing PSALM. The 23-item
questionnaire included items on the respondents’ personal
information, the council decision-making processes, use of
sub-committees and the operation of the ASCs. The questions were
mostly of the multiple-choice Likert-type with open-ended questions
in relevant areas.</para>
<para id="id11528193">Considering that the items used were taken
from questionnaires previously validated in earlier research, no
attempt was made to undertake a pilot run of the questionnaire used
in this research. It was assumed that the questionnaire items used
constitute a valid tool for measuring the variables. However, as
discussed earlier, only items that comprised a single factor for
each variable was used. The reliability coefficients of the items
used meet the standards set by statisticians. Scores with modest
reliability (coefficients ranging from .50 to .60) are acceptable
in measurement of results used for research purposes (Ary, Jacobs,
&amp; Razavieh, 2002). The Cronbach alpha for the instruments used
are acceptable even at the level of at least 0.70, the level
recommended by Nunnally (1978) and Martin and Bateson
(1986).</para>
<para id="id13508252">Results and Discussion</para>
<para id="id15502692">The first research question focused on the
perceptions of the research participants on the operational
effectiveness of PSALM. Indicators of PSALM effectiveness included:
composition of the ASC; usefulness of the committee structure;
power and authority of the ASC; information for ASC decisions; time
for ASC business; ASC influence on teaching and learning; and
overall ASC functioning.</para>
<para id="id14903662"><media type="image/jpg" src="gamage1.gif"/></para>
<para id="id15194845">Table 1 shows how the research participants
viewed the composition of the ASCs. The results show that almost
all (92.6 per cent) of the participants endorsed the distribution
of membership amongst the different categories of stakeholders
involved in the experiment. Most ASCs had 11 members – the school
head and two representatives from each of the groups of teachers,
students, parents, community leaders and alumni.It is interesting
to note that only 0.7 per cent, of the participants found the
composition of the council to be unsatisfactory. The mean score is
3.6132, where 5 = excellent and 1 = unsatisfactory. These findings
offer an empirical basis for organizing school councils in the
Philippines when this scheme is finally implemented in the whole
school system via the SFI.</para>
<para id="id15696933"><media type="image/jpg" src="gamage2.gif"/></para>
<para id="id16826333">The table 2 presents the perceptions on the
usefulness of the committee structure. Here again 90.8 per cent,
were highly satisfied with the usefulness of the committee
structure (rating it as good, very good or excellent) whereas only
1.4 per cent, found it to be unsatisfactory. This result is similar
to the findings by Gamage and colleagues (Gamage et al., 1996) in
the Victorian effective schools, which is a virtual endorsement of
the committee structure as a very useful feature of PSALM. It
facilitates the exploration of alternative solutions, saves ASC’s
time and enables the wider participation of stakeholder
groups.</para>
<para id="id16996972">Table 3 shows that adequate power was
available to the ASCs as claimed by 86.5 per cent of respondents,
with a mean of 2.0077 in a scale of 1-3 with 3 indicating too much
power. Too much power was found to be vested in the ASCs by 3.2 per
cent, while only 2.5 per cent claimed that the power was not
adequate.</para>
<para id="id14496683"><media type="image/jpg" src="gamage3.gif"/></para>
<para id="id17064688">This finding is similar to the results of
Sooksomchitra’s (2004)) study, in which stakeholders indicated
adequate authority was vested in the school councils. This suggests
that the school heads were willing to empower others in the pursuit
of better learning outcomes. Considering the backdrop of school
heads possessing high levels of power and authority under existing
laws and guidelines, this finding implies that the school heads on
their own free will shared the power and authority. However, this
trend contradicts Parish and Aquila (1996) who point out that
empowering the formerly powerless is difficult because everyone
wished to be in control.</para>
<para id="id15093677"><media type="image/jpg" src="gamage4.gif"/></para>
<para id="id15269770">Table 4 shows that 91.0 per cent of the
respondents were highly satisfied with the amount and quality of
information provided for decision-making by rating their responses
as excellent, very good, and good as indicated above. This result
is similar to the findings in Thailand (Gamage &amp; Sooksomchitra,
2004) as well as the findings of Gamage et al (1996) in their
research in Victoria. This suggests that information was made
available to the members of the ASC before they deliberated on
courses of action to be taken in improving the school. Indeed,
keeping communication channels open is an important factor for the
success of school councils (Gamage &amp; Pang, 2003). Considering
that school heads are the usual gatekeepers of information flow, it
can be said that school heads involved in the study were willing to
share vital information with others, particularly with the members
of the ASC. This transparency is a positive contributor in
encouraging stakeholders’ involvement in school level
policy-making, which the study was investigating.</para>
<para id="id10303431"><media type="image/jpg" src="gamage5.gif"/></para>
<para id="id13350074">As shown in Table 5, 74.5 per cent of
respondents reported that there was adequate time for council
business; 4.3 per cent indicated that time was more than adequate;
7.8 per cent, barely adequate; and 6.0 per cent, inadequate with a
mean score of 2.8314. In Thailand, school board members likewise
indicated adequacy of time for council business (Sooksomchitra,
2004). This finding reveals that, generally, the ASCs were able to
devote sufficient time for discussing problems and issues that were
submitted for their consideration.</para>
<para id="id13350078"><media type="image/jpg" src="gamage6.gif"/></para>
<para id="id16939608">Table 6 reveals the influence of the ASC on
the teaching/learning situation in the school as was perceived by
the council members. The results suggest that 50 per cent
acknowledged that it has improved significantly; 34.8 per cent
claimed that it has improved little; 6.7 per cent said that it was
insignificant whereas only 1.4 per cent felt that the ASC has not
made any difference. The mean score of 4.4351 suggests that the
ASCs influence varied from significant to little. Indeed, the
majority recognized that their efforts contributed to the
improvements in teaching and learning. Yet, we need to be cautious
since it is possible that the respondents might have over-estimated
their own contributions. However, it is important to note that the
ASCs have contributed to the issues concerning
teaching/learning.</para>
<para id="id11473185">Table 7 shows how the participants perceived
the overall functioning of the ASCs. It is interesting to note that
90.3 per cent of the participants were satisfied with the overall
functioning of the ASCs on the basis of their evaluation of the
performances as good, very good and excellent whereas less than two
percent considered the overall functioning as either poor or
unsatisfactory.</para>
<para id="id11473190"><media type="image/jpg" src="gamage7.bmp"/></para>
<para id="id14032899">The mean score of 3.5637 shows this high
degree of satisfaction. Just like in Thailand, an overwhelming
majority of the participants indicated high levels of satisfaction
with their experience in taking part in school management
(Sooksomchitra, 2004). Similarly, Victorian school council members
in effective schools perceived high level of effectiveness for the
overall functioning of the school councils (Gamage et al., 1996).
In this context, the experimental study affirms that the
stakeholder participation is a very useful tool in leading and
managing schools.</para>
<para id="id15793396">The Trust Levels of the Stakeholders</para>
<para id="id15793401">The second research question sought to
determine the levels of trust among the stakeholders implementing
PSALM. The trust levels of the 282 respondents yielded a mean score
equivalent to 5.39 (SD = .575). In the scale ranging from 1 – 6
with 6 indicating the highest level, it can be said that the
stakeholders who implemented a form of participatory management had
a high level of trust on the school officials (school head and
teachers). This result suggests that the stakeholders were inclined
to put themselves in the care of the school professionals. In other
words, the stakeholders were confident that the school officials
were innately desirous to pursue the general welfare of everyone in
the school.</para>
<para id="id10791843">In terms of the trust levels of the specific
stakeholders, the mean and standard deviations for school heads
were: 5.42 (SD = .518); teachers: 5.45 (SD = .553); students: 5.41
(SD = .601); alumni: 5.38 (SD = .631); parents: 5.34 (SD = .624);
and community leaders: 5.35 (SD = .507). The stakeholders’ trust
levels were not significantly different on the basis of their
constituency. The F value for level of trust and constituency was
.244, p. = .943. This result indicates that the building of trust
among the stakeholders in the school was not related to the
constituency each stakeholder represented. In other words,
regardless of the stakeholder type involved in participatory
management, trust may either be increased or decreased on the basis
of their individual performance.</para>
<para id="id5881165">PSALM Effectiveness and Levels of Trust</para>
<para id="id14173686">The third research question centered on the
relationships between the indicators of PSALM effectiveness and the
trust levels of stakeholders. Table 8 shows that the respondents’
levels of trust were significantly correlated to their perceptions
on the composition of the ASC, the usefulness of the committee
structure, the adequacy of information for ASC decision making, the
time available for ASC business, the ASC influence on teaching and
learning, and the overall functioning of the ASC. Only their
perception on the power and authority granted to the ASC did not
yield a significant correlation to the levels of trust.</para>
<para id="id16353920">Implementers of PSALM who indicated higher
levels of trust were moderately satisfied with the composition of
the ASC and perceived the overall ASC functioning to be effective.
On a lesser degree, trust levels were also found to be associated
with the stakeholders’ perceptions on the usefulness of the
committee structure and adequacy of information and time for doing
ASC business. There was also a weak correlation between the level
of trust and the stakeholders’ perceptions on the ASC influence on
teaching and learning.</para>
<para id="id16353924"><media type="image/jpg" src="gamage8.gif"/></para>
<para id="id11957636">This shows that participants who reported
favorable perceptions on the composition of the ASC, usefulness of
the committee structure, adequacy of information for ASC decision
making, availability of time for ASC business, ASC influence on
teaching and learning, and overall ASC functioning were more likely
to report higher levels of trust while implementing PSALM.</para>
<para id="id13798164">Previous studies appear to show results
congruent with the findings of this study. These previous results
confirm that trust is enhanced when leadership behavior is
characterized by being supportive (Tarter, Bliss, &amp; Hoy, 1989;
Tarter &amp; Hoy, 1998); and collegial (Blase &amp; Blase, 2001;
Hoy et al., 1996; Tarter &amp; Hoy, 1998; Tschannen-Moran &amp;
Hoy, 1998). Likewise, researchers have declared that open
communication fosters trust (Blase &amp; Blase, 2001; Butler Jr.,
1991; Hoffman et al., 1994; Saunders &amp; Thornhill, 2003).
Sharing of information, using committees, providing adequate time
for doing ASC business, enabling ASCs to be composed of members
from diverse stakeholders are examples of supportive and collegial
leadership behaviors.</para>
<para id="id7883375">That the perceived power and authority given
to the ASC did not significantly relate to the stakeholders’ levels
of trust is something future implementers of PSALM should consider.
Perhaps, among the factors considered in this research, enabling
stakeholders to feel that they possess the power and authority to
influence school decisions is the most difficult to accomplish.
Another implication could be that the stakeholders were still aware
that in the PSALM model implemented, principals had the final
authority to make decisions. A non-advisory type of school council
may yield better results in terms of the stakeholders’ perception
of their power and authority.</para>
<para id="id16367019">Conclusion</para>
<para id="id16367023">The results indicate that the stakeholders
found the implementation of PSALM through advisory school councils
to be effective. The effectiveness of implementing ASC as perceived
by the respondents reinforces the finding that their levels of
trust were also high. Indeed, many factors affect the fostering of
trust in the school. However, this study has shown that, to some
degree, the adequacy of time for ASC business, the satisfaction
with the composition of the ASC, the appreciation for the
usefulness of committees, the sharing of information, the perceived
influence on teaching and learning, and the overall satisfaction
with the operation of the ASC significantly related to the trust
levels among the stakeholders.</para>
<para id="id11427702">It is therefore suggested that school leaders
wishing to enhance the levels of trust among the stakeholders in
their schools should endeavor to achieve a balanced representation
in the school council, utilize committees appropriately, share more
information with other stakeholders, provide adequate time for
doing ASC business, and focus on teaching and learning to make the
overall functioning of ASC highly effective. (4624 words except
references)</para>
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</section>
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