An analysis of the relationships between servant leadership, school culture, and student achievement

Abstract

The purpose of the study was to quantitatively explore and analyze the relationships among the factors of servant leadership, school culture, and student achievement in Missouri elementary schools. Two survey instruments, the Servant Leadership Assessment Instrument and the School Culture Survey, were used. A total of 677 teachers from 62 elementary schools in Missouri participated. Data from the two surveys as well as student achievement data were aggregated at the school level and analyzed using correlation and multiple regression analysis. The results of this study explain the influence of principal servant leadership on school culture and student achievement, the influence of school culture on student achievement, and the influence of the combination of servant leadership and school culture on student achievement. Explanatory models were designed from the findings to depict the relationships between servant leadership, school culture, and student achievement.