Title: Identifying factors contributing to the development and sustainability of professional learning communities in Malaysian secondary schools

Authors: Mei Kin Tai; Abdull Kareem Omar

Addresses: Faculty of Management and Economics, Sultan Idris Education University, Tanjung Malim, Pera, Malaysia ' Faculty of Management and Economics, Sultan Idris Education University, Tanjung Malim, Pera, Malaysia

Abstract: The aim of this research was to develop a Professional Learning Communities Model in Malaysian secondary schools. Exploratory Factor Analysis (EFA) was conducted to identify the underlying factors whereas Confirmatory Factor Analysis (CFA) was used to examine the measurement models. A total of 532 and 1062 respondents completed the survey with usable data for EFA and CFA, respectively. With normed χ² = 3.223, TLI = .950, CFI = .953 and RMSEA = .046, the results suggested that the model can be explained by two factors: Organisational Factor and Non-Organisation Factor. The Organisational Factor consists of four indicators: Shared Norms and Vision, Principal Commitment and Support, Structural Support, and Collegial Understanding and Trust whereas Non-Organisational Factor encompasses four indicators: Collaborative Learning, Reflective Dialogue, Collective Inquiry and External Support System.

Keywords: professional learning communities; collegial understanding and trust; collaborative learning; reflective dialogue; collective inquiry; external support system.

DOI: 10.1504/IJMIE.2021.10038436

International Journal of Management in Education, 2021 Vol.15 No.4, pp.337 - 361

Received: 16 May 2020
Accepted: 30 Aug 2020
Published online: 27 Jul 2021 *

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