Advice networks in early childhood education: Predicting teachers’ workplace experiences over time

Travis Cramer, Elise Cappella, C. Cybele Raver

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

Abstract

Guided by social capital and diffusion of innovation theories and K-12 social network research, we describe instrumental advice network ties among diverse staff (n = 374) in a representative sample of early childhood education (ECE) programs (n = 43) in one large urban school district. We investigate across-time links between advice network ties and teachers’ job satisfaction, orientation to innovation, and efficacy beliefs. Results indicate that administrators are the most sought source of advice; lead teachers are advice sources for more colleagues than are assistant teachers; and, specialized staff are advice sources in content areas aligned with their role. In support of a social influence model, ECE teachers with a higher proportion of advice ties in the fall reported higher job satisfaction, teaching efficacy, and collective efficacy in the spring. No relationship was found between advice ties and teachers’ orientation to innovation. Findings generate hypotheses on diffusion processes and inform ECE professional development.

Original languageEnglish (US)
Pages (from-to)129-138
Number of pages10
JournalEarly Childhood Research Quarterly
Volume65
DOIs
StatePublished - Oct 1 2023

Keywords

  • Advice networks
  • Early childhood education
  • Social networks
  • Teacher professional development

ASJC Scopus subject areas

  • Education
  • Developmental and Educational Psychology
  • Sociology and Political Science

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