Principals’ Developmental Leadership Behaviors : Validating a Scale with Structural Equation Modelling

Objective – The main objective of this empirical study was to validate a substantiated Principals’ Developmental Leadership Behaviors Model (PDLBM) and an instrument to identify critical components of Principals’ Developmental Leadership Behaviors (PDLB) in Malaysian secondary schools context. Methodology/Technique – Structural Equation Modelling was employed to test the model. Exploratory Factor Analysis was applied to identify the underlying factors, whereas Confirmatory Factor Analysis was employed to test the measurement models. Findings – The analysis yielded a three-factor PDLBM: (1) focused, (2) supportive and (3) developer which supported evidence for convergent validity, construct reliability and discriminant validity. Novelty – The PDLBM is a coherent premier tested model derived in a local Malaysian cultural educational setting which provides direction for practitioners in planning and designing specific training programmes for developing leadership competency among teacher leaders, with the enhancement of PDLB in Malaysian secondary schools. Type of Paper: Research paper