The mediating role of school accountability in the relationship between school effectiveness and school climate

The study's sample was carrried out to determine the predicted relationships between school accountability, school effectiveness, and school climate according to teachers' views and identifying the mediating role of school accountability in the relation school effectiveness and school climate. The prediction level of these variables to each other consists of 569 teachers working in secondary schools serving in the city center of Elazig. To increase the representation level of the universe, teachers from different types of private and public schools from various education regions were selected. In our study, we used the qualitative research method. The school accountability scale was developed by researching accountability approaches in education in the current literature. We also considered its relationship with the reform movements in the literature and the factors that directly affect the accountability method as policy, standards, measurement-evaluation, cost, data, management, and leadership. School Climate and School Effectiveness scales are other data collection tools used in the research. The tools were used to analyze the relationships between school accountability levels, effectiveness, and climate conforming to teachers' opinions. The data we attained was analyzed using statistical programs. Explanatory and confirmatory factor analyzes were conducted for the "School Accountability Scale" by the data obtained with the sample application. Afterward, data collected for three variables were analyzed in detail by applying t-test, ANOVA, Bonferroni, correlation, multiple regression, and structural equation modeling. By findings obtained from the analysis, we resolved that there were significant differences according to the variables of gender, age, seniority, marital status, and school type. In the results of the correlation and regression analysis, the effectiveness of schools with a high level of school accountability also increases in direct proportion; it was initiated that the climate of the schools was also positively affected. Additionally, a full mediation role of school accountability in the relationship between school effectiveness and school climate has been identified. The theoretical model suggested in the study that school accountability plays a mediating role in the relationship between school climate and school effectiveness, and affects both confirmed. While school climate affects school effectiveness, school accountability indirectly affects both school climate and school effectiveness through the full mediation effect. Keywords: School, Accountability, Effectiveness, Climate