Physical Educators’ Participation in Decision-Making Processes in Dynamic Schools

Abstract

Teacher participation in school decision-making processes is considered one of the major components of school dynamics. It is not known, however, whether all teachers participate in the process to the same extent. This study examines whether teacher participation is related to school dynamics and to subject matter taught. In a 3-step sequential model, the relative contribution of background variables, school measures, school dynamics, and subject matter taught to teacher participation was estimated. Findings showed that school dynamics had the strongest effect on teacher participation, but the effect was not the same for all teachers. Physical educators participated in school decision-making processes less than did other teachers. Physical educators in dynamic schools reported a higher degree of participation than physical educators in non-dynamic schools but a lower degree of participation compared to other teachers in dynamic schools.