Maria Eliophotou Menon

Information search as an indication of rationality in student choice of higher education

This paper investigates the degree of information search that precedes the choice of a private third‐level educational institution in Cyprus. Information search is used as an indication of rationality in order to provide a test for the economic approach to the explanation of human behaviour. A survey was conducted among 120 college students in the academic year 1998/99. The findings indicate that information search among students contemplating the choice of a private college was less than expected under traditional economic theory. Logistic regression analysis was used in order to identify characteristics associated with the propensity to engage in information search: low socioeconomic status students and students who perceived the decision as important were found to be more likely to engage in information search. The paper points to the need for taking into account the influence of both economic and non‐economic variables in the attempt to explain human behaviour.

Student involmement in university governance: A need for negotiated educational aims?

Abstract The paper argues for the need to increase student participation in university governance, especially in relation to high‐level decision‐making concerning the aims and mission of tertiary institutions. The paper examines the arguments in favour of, and against, student participation in university governance. It also provides an overview of the findings of recent empirical studies on the topic. The need for a process of negotiation in the setting of higher education aims is emphasised and several suggestions are offered regarding ways of increasing student involvement in the aims‐setting process.

Job satisfaction among secondary school teachers: the role of gender and experience

The paper investigates the association between individual characteristics and teacher job satisfaction in secondary education in Cyprus. It focuses on two individual characteristics commonly linked to job satisfaction in the literature, namely, gender and years of experience. A short version of a questionnaire previously employed by Dinham and Scott was administered to a sample of secondary school teachers. The use of factor analysis resulted in the identification of the following seven factors which represent different aspects of job satisfaction: school climate, key stakeholders, support and training, participation in school management, student/school progress, professional development and employment terms. Experienced teachers report significantly higher job satisfaction on two of the identified dimensions (key stakeholders and participation in school management). The differences between men and women are not significant on all dimensions of job satisfaction, pointing to the absence of a link between gender and job satisfaction.

Do Beginning Teachers Receive Adequate Support from Their Headteachers

The article examines the problems faced by beginning teachers in Cyprus and the extent to which headteachers are considered to provide adequate guidance and support to them. Data were collected through interviews with 25 school teachers in Cyprus, who had recently entered teaching (within 1–5 years) in public primary schools. According to the findings, beginning teachers faced several problems at the workplace that include organizational and administrative issues as well as difficulties in coping with groups of students. Several respondents stated they did not receive sufficient support from their headteachers and in some cases, considered the culture at the school to be antagonistic. Respondents provided several suggestions on ways of overcoming problems faced by beginning teachers. They pointed to the need for greater support on the part of the headteachers through better and more frequent communication, and openness in the organizational climate. They also recommended the introduction of comprehensive induction programmes and effective mentoring practices.

The relationship between transformational leadership, perceived leader effectiveness and teachers’ job satisfaction

Purpose – The purpose of this paper is to investigate the link between transformational/transactional/passive-avoidant leadership behaviors, teachers’ perceptions of leader effectiveness and teachers’ job satisfaction. In this context, the paper also examines the conceptual model underlying the scales of the most widely used instrument in research on transformational leadership, the Multifactor Leadership Questionnaire (MLQ). The theoretical framework for this investigation is that of the full range model of leadership. Design/methodology/approach – An adapted version of the MLQ was administered to a sample of 438 secondary school teachers in the Republic of Cyprus. Confirmatory factor analysis and structural equation modeling were used in the analysis of the data. Findings – The results provide support for a three-factor structure model consisting of transformational, transactional and passive-avoidant forms of leadership, representing three distinct components of leadership behavior. Teachers’ perceptio...

Satisfaction of Pre-Service and In-Service Teachers with Primary School Organization: Evidence from Greece.

This article investigates and compares the satisfaction levels of pre-service and in-service primary school teachers with respect to school organization and administration. Primary data were collected through questionnaires completed by 315 pre-service teachers and 439 in-service teachers in Greece. The following six factors of school organization were identified: school climate, principal’s role, school organization, teacher incentives, role of superiors, and teachers’ role. According to the findings, the satisfaction ratings of pre-service and in-service teachers were significantly different on all of the above factors. Specifically, the satisfaction ratings of pre-service teachers were significantly lower than those of in-service teachers on all factors, except for the teacher incentives factor, where they were significantly higher. The article examines the implications of the findings for the job satisfaction of pre-service and in-service teachers and offers suggestions on measures that can be used to enhance the work motivation of teaching staff

Perceptions of pre‐service and in‐service teachers regarding the effectiveness of elementary school leadership in Cyprus

Compares the views of pre‐service and in‐service elementary school teachers regarding the effectiveness of school leaders in Cyprus. Data were collected from 66 in‐service teachers, and 79 pre‐service teachers enrolled at the University of Cyprus. The findings indicate that in‐service teachers were significantly more positive than pre‐service teachers in their assessment of school principals. The former considered the weaknesses associated with principals to be mainly the result of the limitations of the educational system in Cyprus, whereas the latter expected their future superiors to be ineffective in their management of interpersonal relationships. The paper points to the need for better training and preparation of both school leaders and teachers before their appointments.

Views of Future and Current Teachers on the Effectiveness of Primary School Leadership: Evidence from Greece

The paper examines the perceptions of future and current primary school teachers in Greece regarding the effectiveness of their school leaders. Quantitative and qualitative data were collected through questionnaires completed by 126 future and 94 current teachers. According to the findings, future teachers were less positive than their current counterparts in their assessment of school leadership. Several future teachers expected their future leaders to be overly controlling and authoritarian. Current teachers, on the other hand, were more concerned about the appointment of individuals to leadership posts with no prior managerial training. The paper discusses the implications of the findings for educational policy, focusing on the need for changes in the professional preparation of both teachers and school leaders.

Influences on the intention to enter higher education: the importance of expected returns

Abstract Research points to several determinants of the private demand for higher education, which include individual, social, economic, and institutional variables. Of these variables, economic factors are considered to be highly relevant, especially in the current financial crisis. The paper investigates the link between expected rates of return to higher education and the intention of secondary education graduates to pursue university studies. The effect of additional variables influencing the choice of higher education (ability, gender, socioeconomic status [SES], type of secondary school, area of residence) is also examined. The findings show a significant link between the perceived rates of return and the intention of secondary school graduates to enter tertiary education. With the exception of residence, all independent variables are strong determinants of the intention to enter higher education. The paper also points to the considerable effect of the financial crisis on students’ expectations in that respondents reported lower perceived rates of return compared to previous estimates in the same country. The implications of the findings for higher education policy are discussed.

Productivity as an indication of quality in higher education: the views of employed graduates in Greece

Abstract The paper investigates the views of Greek university graduates on the link between higher education and productivity in order to determine the extent to which productivity can be considered to be an indication of quality in higher education. It also investigates the perceived effect of the type and content of higher education on productivity; factors limiting the positive impact of higher education on productivity; and ways of reducing the influence of these factors. In-depth interviews were conducted with 40 employed university graduates in Greece. Respondents generally considered higher education to have a productivity-enhancing effect, in disagreement with the screening challenge to the human capital interpretation of the link between education and productivity. The findings also suggest that respondents embraced specific conceptualisations of quality in higher education.AbstractThe paper investigates the views of Greek university graduates on the link between higher education and productivity in order to determine the extent to which productivity can be considered to be an indication of quality in higher education. It also investigates the perceived effect of the type and content of higher education on productivity; factors limiting the positive impact of higher education on productivity; and ways of reducing the influence of these factors. In-depth interviews were conducted with 40 employed university graduates in Greece. Respondents generally considered higher education to have a productivity-enhancing effect, in disagreement with the screening challenge to the human capital interpretation of the link between education and productivity. The findings also suggest that respondents embraced specific conceptualisations of quality in higher education.