Evaluation of the Impact of Quality Management Systems on School Climate

• Published in: International journal of educational management Vol. 30; no. 4; pp. 474 - 492
• Main Authors: Egido Gálvez, Inmaculada, Fernández Cruz, Francisco José, Fernández Díaz, Mª José
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Bradford Emerald Group Publishing Limited 09.05.2016
• Subjects: Academic achievement; Community; Conflict Resolution; Education; Educational administration; Educational Environment; Educational Improvement; Educational Quality; Efficiency; Elementary Schools; Ex post facto design; Foreign Countries; Learning Processes; Management Systems; Outcomes of Education; Parent Participation; Quality control; Quality management; Quality standards; School environment; Schools; Secondary Schools; Small Schools; Spain; Statistical Analysis; Students; Studies; Success; Teachers; Spain
• ISSN: 0951-354X; 0951-354X; 1758-6518
• DOI: 10.1108/IJEM-01-2015-0010

Purpose: Implementation of quality management systems in educational institutions has gradually increased over the last few decades, even though there are still questions about the actual usefulness of these systems for improving school processes and outcomes. The purpose of this paper is to take an in-depth look at the impact, understood as sustainable medium- and long-term changes in the organisation, which implementation of quality management systems has on schools. Specifically, it analyses the effect these systems have on an essential dimension for school efficiency, which is school climate, as well as on satisfaction of the members of the education community. Design/Methodology/Approach: To achieve this, the authors conducted an evaluation of the impact of quality management systems on a total of 29 Spanish primary and secondary education schools. This study is part of non-experimental research, since it is not possible to manipulate variables or randomly assign participants or treatment (Kerlinger, 2002). This is an "ex post facto" study since the independent variables cannot be manipulated, but rather we wait for developments to occur naturally and then they are analysed. The idea is to validate the hypothesis once the event occurs, trying to find its causes "retrospectively". Findings: The results showed that quality management systems have a positive impact on aspects such as development of coexistence rules in schools, teacher participation in initiatives to improve schools and a positive climate in schools. Research Limitations/Implications: On the other hand, there is no evidence of the impact of these systems on conflict resolution procedures or family participation in school life. The impact of quality management systems on the satisfaction of the members of the school community is also moderate. Originality/Value: The results obtained also show that the impact tends to be greater in private subsidised centres, in small schools, in centres where the system has been implemented for more years and when there is more support and monitoring by the educational authorities.