Principal Decision-Making and Its Influence on School Performance in China
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.53797/ujssh.v4i2.1.2025Keywords:
Principal Decision-Making, School Performance, China, Collaborative Leadership, Educational LeadershipAbstract
This study quantitatively investigated the influence of principal decision-making on various facets of school performance in China, addressing a critical gap in comprehensive empirical research on this evolving relationship within the unique Chinese educational context. Employing a robust cross-sectional survey design, data were systematically collected from a large sample of 987 principals and 4950 teachers across diverse primary and secondary schools in mainland China using structured questionnaires. The research aimed to meticulously analyze principal decision-making patterns and rigorously examine their impact on key indicators such as academic outcomes, student well-being and holistic development, and organizational effectiveness. Findings revealed that a collaborative decision-making approach by principals was consistently and significantly positively correlated with all measured aspects of school performance, including improved instructional strategies, student engagement, student happiness, enhanced teacher morale, and increased parental involvement. Conversely, an authoritative approach demonstrated statistically significant negative correlations with several performance indicators, suggesting its detrimental effects. Rational and intuitive approaches yielded more varied or less significant associations. The study concludes that fostering collaborative leadership among school principals is paramount for driving holistic school improvement in China, aligning effectively with the nation's contemporary educational modernization goals. These insights offer valuable implications for principal professional development programs and evidence-based educational policy formulation, emphasizing the necessity of leadership styles that champion shared responsibility and broad participation.
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