The Relationship Between Organizational Characteristics and Expected Benefits in Interdisciplinary Teams

AbstractBy surveying 769 middle level teachers in 99 schools across the United States, this study investigates the relationship among selected organizational characteristics of seventh grade interdisciplinary teams and teacher perceptions of expected outcomes of teaming. The organizational characteristics studied were: (a) team-teacher selection process, (b) presence of team leaders, (c) types of scheduling arrangements, (d) proximity of classrooms, (e) teacher autonomy, (f) inservice opportunities, (g) presence of a common planning period, and (h) extent and duration of teaming in a school. These eight organizational characteristics were tested for relationships with (1) teacher-related outcomes of teacher innovation and creativity, empowerment and leadership opportunities, opportunities to capitalize upon individual teacher strengths, expansion of teachers' repertoires, and increased teacher collaboration; (2) student-related outcomes of identifying and addressing individual learner problems, improving ...