The Relationship between School Climate and Teacher Autonomy Behaviors

Abstract

In this study, it was aimed to find out the relationship between the school climate and teacher autonomy. The research population consisted of private and public school teachers at pre-school, primary, lower secondary and upper secondary schools in the centre and the districts of Mugla. The study was designed in survey model. The sample of the study consisted of 434 teachers selected by using disproportionate cluster sampling technique. The Teacher Autonomy Scale and the Organizational Climate Scale were used as data collection tools. Teacher Autonomy Scale was developed within the scope of the present study. Descriptive statistics, t-test, ANOVA, and the multivariate regression analysis were used to analyze the data. According to the results of the research, while the principals display supportive behaviours the most; the teachers display collegial behaviours the most. The findings also reveal that teachers display above average autonomy. Out of all the autonomy dimensions, teachers display teaching autonomy the most, professional development autonomy the least. The dimensions of the school climate explain 8% of general teacher autonomy. Supportive and directive principal behaviours are the significant predictors of the general teacher autonomy.