Research Objectives
The research objective is to test several hypotheses. These are primarily that school coops are associated with higher productivity of teachers. That school coops are associated with higher quality of education. That participation in profits or losses of a school coop is associated with teachers taking on more duties. That becoming an owner of a school coop is associated with teachers taking on more duties. That the model of shared ownership is associated with gaining or losing capital and that this model can be applied to coop schools. That ownership is associated with tension and hierarchy between administration and teachers. And finally, that the success of a school is associated with the model of a school cooperative.
Definition of terms:
The survey first defines the terms herein:
E.S.L. or ESL-- English as a Second Language,
Ownership—to be legally responsible, hold rights for the undertakings and to undergo decisions regarding an entity,
Productivity—the efficient (timely and economic) running and creating product or service of an enterprise; in economics the rate at which services or goods are produced for exchange,
Participate-- to be a part of, partake in or have a share of,
Capital—wealth which is money or property,
Tension—strife and pressure between actors in an entity, mental and/or emotional strain,
Hierarchy-- the political structure of persons or things in an entity,
Succeed—to reach a goal whether it be monetary or by other standard; to have the desired result of what is attempted,
Cooperative—an entity that abides by the principles of the International Cooperative Alliance, namely: 1. Voluntary and Open Membership 2. Democratic Member Control 3. Member Economic Participation 4. Autonomy and Independence 5. Education, Training and Information 6. Co-operation among Co-operatives 7.Concern for Community (ica.coop, 2016)
