Skip to main content

Credibility in Instructional Supervision: A Catalyst for Differentiated Supervision

  • Chapter
  • First Online:
Differentiated Teacher Evaluation and Professional Learning

Abstract

This chapter represents an initial attempt to define credibility as it relates to instructional supervision in ninth through twelfth grade. The study aimed to determine how differences in the definitions held by administrators and teachers necessitate differentiation in an administrator’s supervisory practice. Findings suggest that credibility is more often rooted in expertise and experience than in relational conditions established by school leaders or a leader’s positional authority. Indeed, one of its most important conclusions from this study is that classroom teachers and school administrators defined credibility differently within the context of instructional supervision and that these differences may necessitate differentiation in supervisory systems and practices, including those related to teacher performance evaluation. Implications for future research are discussed as are possible reforms for leadership preparation.

This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.

Access this chapter

Chapter
USD 29.95
Price excludes VAT (USA)
  • Available as PDF
  • Read on any device
  • Instant download
  • Own it forever
eBook
USD 79.99
Price excludes VAT (USA)
  • Available as EPUB and PDF
  • Read on any device
  • Instant download
  • Own it forever
Softcover Book
USD 99.99
Price excludes VAT (USA)
  • Compact, lightweight edition
  • Dispatched in 3 to 5 business days
  • Free shipping worldwide - see info
Hardcover Book
USD 139.99
Price excludes VAT (USA)
  • Durable hardcover edition
  • Dispatched in 3 to 5 business days
  • Free shipping worldwide - see info

Tax calculation will be finalised at checkout

Purchases are for personal use only

Institutional subscriptions

References

  • Ashford, S. J., De Stobbeleir, K., & Nujella, M. (2016). To seek or not to seek: Is that the only question? Recent developments in feedback-seeking literature. Annual Review of Organizational Psychology and Organizational Behavior, 3, 213–239.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Beach, D. M., & Reinhartz, J. (2000). Supervisory leadership: Focus on instruction. Boston: Allyn & Bacon.

    Google Scholar 

  • Cobb, P., & Jackson, K. (2011). Towards an empirically grounded theory of action for improving the quality of mathematics teaching at scale. Mathematics Teacher Education and Development, 13(1), 6–33.

    Google Scholar 

  • Falcione, R. L. (1973). Relationship of supervisor credibility to subordinate satisfaction. The Personnel Journal, 52(9), 800–803.

    Google Scholar 

  • Falcione, R. L. (1974). Credibility: Qualifier of subordinate participation. Journal of Business Communication, 11(3), 43–54.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Finn, A. N., Schrodt, P., Witt, P. L., Elledge, N., Jernberg, K. A., & Larson, L. M. (2009). A meta-analytical review of teacher credibility and its associations with teacher behaviors and student outcomes. Communication Education, 58(4), 516–537.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Gamoran, A., Anderson, C. W., Quiroz, P. A., Secada, W. G., Williams, T., & Ashmann, S. (2003). Transforming teaching in math and science: How schools and districts can support change. New York: Teachers College Press.

    Google Scholar 

  • Giffin, K. (1967). The contribution of studies of source credibility to a theory of interpersonal trust in the communication process. Psychological Bulletin, 68(2), 104–120.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Glanz, J., & Zepeda, S. J. (2016). Supervision: New perspectives for theory and practice. Lanham: Rowman & Littlefield.

    Google Scholar 

  • Glatthorn, A. A. (1984). Differentiated supervision. Alexandria: Association for Supervision and Curriculum Development (ASCD).

    Google Scholar 

  • Glickman, C. D. (1981). Developmental supervision. Alexandria: Association for Supervision and Curriculum Development (ASCD).

    Google Scholar 

  • Glickman, C. D., Gordon, S. P., & Ross-Gordon, J. M. (2012). The basic guide to supervision and instructional leadership. Upper Saddle River: Pearson Higher Ed.

    Google Scholar 

  • Gordon, S. P. (2005). Standards for instructional supervision: Enhancing teaching and learning. Larchmont: Eye on Education.

    Google Scholar 

  • Gutierrez, R. (2012). Mathematics – Beyond the achievement gap: What it takes to become an effective leader in mathematics for marginalized youth. In G. Theoharis & J. S. Brooks (Eds.), What every principals needs to know to create equitable and excellent schools (pp. 31–53). New York: Teachers’ College Press.

    Google Scholar 

  • Halverson, R., Feinstein, N. R., & Meshoulam, D. (2011). School leadership for science education. In G. E. DeBoer (Ed.), The role of public policy in K-12 science education (pp. 397–430). Charlotte: Information Age Publishing.

    Google Scholar 

  • Hatch, T., Eiler White, M., & Faigenbaum, D. (2005). Expertise, credibility, and influence: How teachers can influence policy, advance research, and improve performance. Teachers College Record, 107(5), 1004–1035.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Hill, H. C. (2010). The nature and predictors of elementary teachers’ mathematical knowledge for teaching. Journal for Research in Mathematics Education, 41(5), 513–545.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Hitt, D. H., & Tucker, P. D. (2016). Systematic review of key leader practices found to influence student achievement: A unified framework. Review of Educational Research, 86(2), 531–569.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Hovland, C. I., Janis, I. L., & Kelley, H. H. (1953). Communication and persuasion. New Haven: Yale University Press.

    Google Scholar 

  • Knapp, M. S., & Plecki, M. L. (2001). Investing in the renewal of urban science teaching. Journal of Research in Science Teaching, 38(10), 1089–1100.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Kouzes, J. M., & Posner, B. Z. (2012). The leadership challenge: How to make extraordinary things happen in organizations (5th ed.). San Francisco: Jossey-Bass.

    Google Scholar 

  • Lochmiller, C. R. (2015). Exploring principal leadership for math and science. Journal of School Leadership, 25(1), 24–53.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Lochmiller, C. R. (2016). Examining administrators’ instructional feedback to high school math and science teachers. Educational Administration Quarterly, 52(1), 75–109.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Lochmiller, C. R., & Acker-Hocevar, M. (2016). Making sense of principal leadership in content areas: The case of secondary math and science instruction. Leadership and Policy in Schools, 15(3), 273–296.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Lochmiller, C. R., Huggins, K. S., & Acker-Hocevar, M. A. (2012). Preparing leaders for math and science: Three alternatives to traditional preparation. Planning & Changing, 43(1), 198–220.

    Google Scholar 

  • Lowenhaupt, R. J., & McNeill, K. L. (2017, April 27–May 1). Supervision in context: Instructional leadership for K-8 science. Paper presented at the annual meeting of the American Educational Research Association, San Antonio.

    Google Scholar 

  • Nelson, B. S., & Sassi, A. (2000). Shifting approaches to supervision: The case of mathematics supervision. Educational Administration Quarterly, 36(4), 553–584.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Podsakoff, P. M., & Farh, J. L. (1989). Effects of feedback sign and credibility on goal setting and task performance. Organizational Behavior and Human Decision Processes, 44(1), 45–67.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Posner, B. Z., & Kouzes, J. M. (1988). Relating leadership and credibility. Psychological Reports, 63(2), 527–530.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Ramsey, R. D. (1992). Secondary principal’s survival guide: Practical techniques & materials for successful school administration. Englewood Cliffs: Prentice Hall Direct.

    Google Scholar 

  • Rigby, J. G., Larbi-Sharif, A., Rosenquist, B. A., Sharpe, C. J., Cobb, P., & Smith, T. (2017). Administrator observation and feedback: Does it lead to improvement in inquiry-oriented math instruction? Educational Administration Quarterly, 53(3), 475–516.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Rinehart, J. S., Short, P. M., Short, R. J., & Eckley, M. (1998). Teacher empowerment and principal leadership: Understanding the influence process. Educational Administration Quarterly, 34(1), 630–649.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Shrigley, R. L. (1976). Credibility of the elementary science methods instruction as perceived by students: A model for attitude modification. Journal of Research in Science Teaching, 13, 449–453.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Shrigley, R. L. (1980). Science supervisor characteristics that influence their credibility with elementary school teachers. Journal of Science Teaching, 17(2), 161–166.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Shulman, L. S. (1986). Those who understand: Knowledge growth in teaching. Educational Researcher, 15(2), 4–14.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Spillane, J. (2005). Primary school leadership practice: How the subject matters. School Leadership and Management, 25(4), 383–397.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Steele, M. D., Johnson, K. R., Otten, S., Herbel-Eisenmann, B. A., & Carver, C. A. (2015). Improving instructional leadership the development of leadership content knowledge: The case of principal learning in algebra. Journal of Research on Leadership Education, 10(2), 127–150.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Steelman, L. A., & Rutkowski, K. A. (2004). Moderators of employee reactions to negative feedback. Journal of Managerial Psychology, 19(1), 6–18.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Steelman, L. A., Levy, P. E., & Snell, A. F. (2004). The feedback environment scale: Construct definition, measurement, and validation. Educational and Psychological Measurement, 64(1), 165–184.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Stein, M. K., & Nelson, B. S. (2003). Leadership content knowledge. Educational Evaluation and Policy Analysis, 25(4), 423–448.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Sullivan, S., & Glanz, J. (2009). Supervision that improves teaching and learning. Thousand Oaks: Corwin.

    Google Scholar 

  • Teven, J. J. (2007). Teacher caring and classroom behavior: Relationships with student affect and perceptions of teacher competence and trustworthiness. Communication Quarterly, 55(4), 433–450.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Tormala, Z. L., Brinol, P., & Petty, R. E. (2006). When credibility attacks: The reverse impact of source credibility on persuasion. Journal of Experimental Social Psychology, 42(5), 684–691.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Tuytens, M., & Devos, G. (2011). Stimulating professional learning through teacher evaluation: An impossible task for the school leader? Teaching and Teacher Education, 27(5), 891–899.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Zepeda, S. J. (2012). Instructional supervision: Applying tools and concepts. Larchmont: Eye on Education.

    Google Scholar 

Download references

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

Authors

Corresponding author

Correspondence to Chad R. Lochmiller .

Editor information

Editors and Affiliations

Rights and permissions

Reprints and permissions

Copyright information

© 2019 The Author(s)

About this chapter

Check for updates. Verify currency and authenticity via CrossMark

Cite this chapter

Lochmiller, C.R. (2019). Credibility in Instructional Supervision: A Catalyst for Differentiated Supervision. In: Derrington, M.L., Brandon, J. (eds) Differentiated Teacher Evaluation and Professional Learning. Palgrave Studies on Leadership and Learning in Teacher Education. Palgrave Macmillan, Cham. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-030-16454-6_5

Download citation

  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-030-16454-6_5

  • Published:

  • Publisher Name: Palgrave Macmillan, Cham

  • Print ISBN: 978-3-030-16453-9

  • Online ISBN: 978-3-030-16454-6

  • eBook Packages: EducationEducation (R0)

Publish with us

Policies and ethics