Trust in schools: a conceptual and empirical analysis

• Published in: Journal of educational administration Vol. 36; no. 4; pp. 334 - 352
• Main Authors: Tschannen-Moran, Megan, Hoy, Wayne
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Armidale MCB UP Ltd 01.10.1998; Emerald Group Publishing Limited
• Subjects: Attitude Measures; Behavior; Behavioral Science Research; Behavioral Sciences; Beliefs; Collegiality; Credibility; Definitions; Educational administration; Educational Environment; Gossip; Health; Individual behaviour; Information Dissemination; Intermediate Grades; Junior High Schools; Laboratory Experiments; Middle Schools; Open management; Organisational culture; Organizational Climate; Professional relationships; School administration; School effectiveness; Schools; Social Environment; Social Networks; Society; Studies; Teacher Attitudes; Teacher Behavior; Teachers; Trust; Trust (Psychology); Trust in colleagues; Trust in the school principal; United States (Northeast); Values; Open management; Individual behaviour; Health; Schools; Trust
• ISSN: 0957-8234; 1758-7395
• DOI: 10.1108/09578239810211518

The conceptual foundations of trust as a multi-dimensional construct are reviewed, and relevant related issues are discussed with a focus on trust in schools. An empirical analysis of faculty trust in colleagues and trust in the principal demonstrates that faculty trust is an important aspect of the openness and health of school climate. It is related to the authenticity of both the principal's and the teachers' behavior; however, elements of climate and behavior that predict trust in the principal are different from those that predict trust in colleagues. Finally, a research agenda for the study of trust in schools is sketched.