A better school organizational performance? Yes, but how?

Abstract

This study ascertains, describes and examines the relationship between better school performance in a set of high secondary public schools in Campania (Italy) and significant variables of the school organization.Within a systemic perspective, the study applies the analysis of principal components and the multiple regression model to first identify an objective output variable, i.e. Rate of Invalsi tests with higher marks than national average, which might measure a better school performance and then select the more significant variables which bear upon it. The findings show that these variables, when synergically working, will make the system itself function more effectively. This is, in our case, the interrelated action of stakeholders and facilities of the school system, that influences the variability of the output variable to the extent of 70%.Knowledge and careful consideration of these factors can help increase a school's effectiveness, which allows the students to achieve better results confirmed, certified we would say, by their Invalsi tests, only if such factors are successfully managed. It is, however, necessary to more deeply study and evaluate these results to find out how and to what extent stakeholders' motivation comes into play.

Keywords: performance; public schools; resources; system