The effect of leadership styles on professional learning community

Abstract

The main aim of this study was to investigate the effect of school administrators’ leadership styles on professional learning community in those schools under jurisdiction of the Office of Secondary Educational Service Area 27, Thailand. A total of 3,012 samples consisted of school administrators and teachers were selected from a population of 27,459. A survey quantitative method was employed using questionnaire which was constructed by researchers as an instrument to collect data. Data was analyzed using descriptive and inferential statistics like frequency, percentage, mean score, standard deviation, correlation Pearson Product Moment Coefficient and stepwise multiple regression analysis. The results of the study indicated that all five leadership styles of school administrator were at high level particularly supportive leadership style. However reward and punishment leadership style was found to be the most unpopular leadership style. On the other hand, all the aspects of professional learning community were found to be at high level too. The highest mean score was learning enhancement and information technology whereas the lowest mean score was team empowerment. Implementation of professional learning community was significantly affected by three types of leadership style at significant level of 0.01. The significant predictors of professional learning community were reward and punishment, directive, and charismatic leadership styles. The multiple regression coefficient was 0.836 and the predictive power was 69.9 per cent. Finally, this paper also provided recommendations and suggestions for future research.