IS SCHOOL AUTONOMY EFFECTIVE FOR SUSTAINABLE ACADEMIC ACHIEVEMENT? PISA EXAM SAMPLE

This study compares whether there is a significant difference between the PISA averages of countries with strong school autonomy and countries with weak school autonomy. The study is a mixed research method study. The study group was selected from OECD countries with strong and weak school autonomy using a counter-sampling technique. The five OECD countries with the strongest school autonomy are Finland, Netherlands, Czech Republic, UK and Estonia. The five OECD countries with the weakest school autonomy are France, Spain, Greece, Turkey and Mexico. In all PISA exams between 2006 and 2022, there is a significant difference (p<.05) between countries with strong school autonomy and countries with weak school autonomy in the mean scores of math, science and reading. In countries with strong school autonomy, the levels of school self-determination and parental involvement in lifelong learning activities are higher than the OECD average. Countries with weak school autonomy, this rates are below the OECD average. In countries with strong school autonomy, teacher-administration collaboration, teamwork in school, student monitoring, and teacher participation in professional development activities are mandated by school management or required by law.