The Influence of Teacher Participation in Decision-making on Student Performance

The purpose of this study was to examine empirically the influence of teacher participation in crucial school- based decisions on student performance in Zimbabwean secondary schools. The study adopted an interpretive qualitative research approach utilising a case study research design. A purposive convenient sample of 5 school heads and 20 secondary school teachers formed the study. Together with observations of meetings during school visits, interviews were also conducted with the participants. The study established that the involvement of secondary school teachers in critical school- based decisions has a significant influence on student performance. This finding implies that if teachers are involved in strategic school decisions, this would be vita l to improve not only student performance but also organisational performance. The study therefore concludes that a positive correlation does exist between teacher involvement in decision making and student performance