Leadership matters: supportive principals and teacher recruitment in a school–university partnership
Document Type
Article
Publication Date
12-2024
Publication Title
Professional Development in Education
Publisher
Taylor & Francis Online
DOI
https://doi.org/10.1080/19415257.2024.2441848
Abstract
This study investigated the factors associated with teacher enrolment in a school-university professional development (PD) partnership. A grant-funded programme was developed to provide a maximum of 15 graduate credit hours to middle school teachers, focusing on rural, high-needs schools in the southeastern United States. At 61 middle schools across the state, the university recruiter composed field notes regarding principal and teacher engagement during recruitment meetings. Other factors potentially influencing enrolment were identified and statistical analyses were conducted. Variables included enthusiasm (teacher and principal), modality of recruitment meeting (in person or virtual), attendance (mandatory or optional), semester (fall or spring), and location (rural or non-rural). Enthusiasm of school leaders was shown to be the most important factor when predicting participation in the PD programme. The modality of the information meetings only mattered if teachers were required to attend a virtual session, as opposed to in-person, in which case enrolment dropped dramatically. Findings suggest that a recruiter’s role extends beyond building relationships with teachers; buy-in from school leaders is an overlooked, yet crucial, factor in the success of school-university PD partnerships. This study will be of interest to universities seeking to recruit teachers for grant-funded projects, postgraduate professional development, or research collaborations.
Recommended Citation
Madison, S. M., Clark, V. E., Jones, D. A., & Marshall, J. (2024). Leadership matters: supportive principals and teacher recruitment in a school–university partnership. Professional Development in Education, 1–15. https://doi.org/10.1080/19415257.2024.2441848
