School Based Partnerships: Using Social Network Analysis to Measure Progress Towards Distributed Leadership
Social Network Analysis (SNA) as presented in this study is one of several ongoing activities being undertaken to evaluate the impact and effectiveness of the Milwaukee Mathematics Partnership. Durland and Fredericks (2005) provide a succinct summary of SNA
Social Network Analysis (SNA) is the study of relationships within the context of social situations. It contains a set of measures and analysis tools that are used to describe and understand relational data. Relational data indicate whether a relationship between two components or actors exists and the value of that relationship. Social network theory stands apart from mother methodological theories as it focuses on the social context and behavior of relationships among actors... (p. 9).
Distributed leadership is a primary goal of the Milwaukee Mathematics Partnership (MMP). The MMP seeks to realize this goal through developing the capabilities of math teacher leaders (MTLs) in schools, which, it is hoped, will lead to (1) increased communication and collaboration around mathematics education, (2) increased involvement of other school based personnel in activities to enhance mathematics education, and (3) establishing relationships with key in-school actors as well as individuals outside of a school that might contribute to enhanced mathematics education. The premise for these objectives is if they are realized, then mathematics student achievement will improve over time.
Given this foundation, SNA was the logical method for exploring distributed leadership in the MMP context. SNA allowed the evaluation team to document and analyze social networks in selected schools. Twenty (20) Milwaukee Public Schools (MPS) were examined for this study over a two-year period. Schools were diverse in terms of school type, geography, student demographics, and student achievement levels.
