The Relationship between Organizational Health and the Effectiveness of Parents-Teachers Associations in Iran

Z. Sha’bani, Ph D

This research aimed to examine the relationship between organizational health and the effectiveness of Parents-Teachers Associations in Iran. In this correlational study the sample size was determined to be 900 according to Kjercie-Morgan Table and 200 school principals and 700 Associations members were selected through random stratified sampling. The instrumentation comprised Organizational Health Test (Hoy et al., 1996; Alagheband, 1999) with seven sub-scales as well as Parents-Teachers Associations Effectiveness Test which contained seven dimensions and was devised parallel to Hersey-Blanchard Effectiveness Test. The obtained data were analyzed via Pearson correlation coefficient and simultaneous multiple regression. Results showed that there was a significant correlation between elements of organizational health including influence, initiating structure, morale, academic emphasis, and the effectiveness of the Associations. In addition, academic emphasis and morale had a significant effect on the effectiveness of the Associations. These two elements explained part of the variance in the Associations’ effectiveness. Furthermore, there was a positive, significant relationship between principals’ technical, institutional as well as managerial skills and the Associations’ effectiveness. In fact, principals’ skills at technical level can explain part of the variance in the effectiveness of the Associations. Generally speaking, the effectiveness of Parents-Teachers Associations can be predicted based on schools’ organizational health and improvement of technical, institutional and managerial skills can lead to the attainment of educational objectives.  

Key words: organizational health, influence, initiating structure, morale, academic emphasis, effectiveness