The Relationship between Effective Communication of High School Principal and School Climate.

Abstract

Effective communication is one critical characteristics of effective and successful school principal. Research on effective schools and instructional leadership emphasizes the impact of principal leadership on creating safe and secure learning environment and positive nurturing school climate. This paper was designed to study the relationship between effective communication of high school principal's and school climate. Two instruments were used to measure school climate and communication effectiveness between principals and teachers. Participants were 555 students (293 males and 262 females) and 208 teachers (107 males and 208 females) from Abu Dhabi District, UAE. Results indicated that school climate is positively associated with principal's communication effectiveness. Better climate school was expected in schools where effective communication between school principal and his/her teachers exists. In addition, schools were found to be different in their principal's communication effectiveness and on their climate especially on Security and Maintenance and Instructional Management. Significant differences were also observed between males and females for the advantages of female schools on Security and Maintenance, Student Behavioral Values, Student-Peer Relationships, and Instructional Management. On the other hand, communication between principals and teachers in male schools was more effective than that in female schools. Introduction A key element of an effective school is an effective principal (Whitaker, 1989). Although school success is influenced by many people, school principals remain one of the most important factors in this success. Research on effective schools, school restructuring, and instructional leadership point to the impact of principal leadership on student learning and improvement (Hallinger & Heck, 1996). The effect of the principal on student learning cannot be overemphasized. Establishing safe and secure learning environment and positive, nurturing school climate are merely the first steps in a long series of critically high expectations effective principals set for themselves, as well as the educational communities they lead. Most important, however, is the love for learning and students, which is at the heart of every successful principal (Cotton, 2004). Principals play important role in establishing school discipline, both by effective administration and by personal example. Effective principals are liked and respected, rather than feared, and communicate caring for students as well as willingness to impose punishment if necessary (NAESP 1983). Teachers' satisfaction with school discipline policy is related to their relationship with the principal (Duckworth, 1984). Good communication and shared values are important elements in this relationship. Student achievement is likely to be greatest where teachers and administrators work together (Buffie, 1989). Ideally, a principal should be able to create consensus among staff on rules and their enforcement. The principal must have knowledge and understanding of effective communication strategies. Creating a collaborative environment and open communication has been described as the single most important factor for successful school improvement initiatives. Good communicators are good listeners. Experts in communications rate poor listening as the number-one problem in human relationships. Principals may want to improve their communication by improving their listening skills. School climate affects principal's effectiveness. It also interferes with outcomes for teachers and students. Improvement in school climate enhances the principal's effectiveness, teacher's performance, and students' achievement and behavior. This improvement, however, only occurs if the principal, teachers, and students are empowered. Principals must model behaviors consistent with the school's vision and develop a clear purpose in the school, so that student achievement can improve. …

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