Abstract
Problem. Organizational learning and a strong sense of community lead to professional learning communities in schools. Underlying professional learning communities are the characteristics of effective teams. The work in high schools is done in teams, and the level of effectiveness is linked to student achievement. There is a need for a theoretical framework to better understand student achievement in schools. Purpose. The purpose of this study was to determine the degree of agreement on the four key foundations as perceived by site principals and teachers in high-achieving high schools and low-achieving high schools as measured by the Wiseman (2010) Four Key Foundations Assessment. Methodology. Schools were identified using achievement criteria. An online survey was given to teachers and administrators. The results of the online survey were reported out using descriptive statistics. Then differences were examined between high-achieving and low-achieving schools' results. Inferential statistics were also used to analyze the results connected to student achievement. Findings. High-achieving schools had higher mean scores on 37 out of the 40 questions on the Four Key Foundations Assessment. Thirty-nine out of the 40 means were categorized most closely in high-achieving schools as agree. In low-achieving schools, 9 of the 40 questions had a mean score lower than agree. High-achieving schools had statistically significantly higher scores on 3 out of the 4 foundations on the Four Key Foundations Assessment. Conclusions. High-achieving schools had statistically significantly higher scores on the Four Key Foundations Assessment. Dealing with conflict and tension positively, building agreements, and holding one another accountable were the areas that had the greatest difference between the scores from high-achieving and low-achieving schools. Recommendations. High school leaders should pay greater attention to the establishment of norms, communicating norms, and enforcing those norms. Schools that dealt with tension and conflict in a more positive manner had higher achievement scores. As a result, it is important for high school leaders to use survey instruments like the Four Key Foundations Assessment to better understand the function of teams and where to pay attention to improve student achievement.