The Embeddedness of Teachers' Social Networks

Evidence from a Study of Mathematics Reform

Bibliographic Data

ID2328342
AuthorsCynthia E Coburn (Northwestern University, Evanston, IL, USA), Willow S Mata (University of California, Berkeley, CA USA), Linda Choi (University of California, Berkeley, CA USA)
Year2013
Volume86
Issue4
Pages311-342
Publication date2013-10-01
Peer ReviewedYes
Open AccessYes
TypeARTICLE
VenueSociology of Education (JOURNAL)
Journal identifiersISSN: 0038-0407 • E-ISSN: 1939-8573
PublisherSAGE Publications Inc (PUBLISHER)
DOI10.1177/0038040713501147
OpenAlexW2163351988
LanguageEN
Citations received41
References cited53

Teachers' social networks can play an important role in teacher learning and organizational change. But what influences teachers' networks? Why do some teachers have networks that are likely to support individual and organizational change, while others do not? This study is a first step in answering this question. We focus on how district policy influences the quality and configuration of teachers' social networks. We draw on a longitudinal, qualitative study of implementation of a mathematics curriculum in four schools. We show that district policy (1) shaped the tie formation process, influencing the structure of networks; (2) mobilized resources that teachers subsequently accessed via their networks, influencing the benefits accrued through network exchanges; and (3) introduced interaction routines that interrupted conventional ways that teachers talked together. We thus uncover heretofore unexplored facets of network formation and change. We also provide insight into dimensions of social networks that are amenable to outside intervention

Curriculum · Embeddedness · Intervention (counseling) · Longitudinal study · Mathematics education · Pedagogy · Political science · Process (computing) · Public relations · Social capital · Social media · Social network (sociolinguistics) · Social network analysis · Social science · Sociology · Computer Science · Educational Assessment and Improvement · Parental Involvement in Education · Psychology · Teacher Education and Leadership Studies