2026 IJRSE – Volume 15 Issue 5
Available Online: 3 March 2026
Author/s:
Lopez, Melina M.
Nueva Vizcaya State University, Philippines (maryjanice.soriano@deped.gov.ph)
Ocampo, Imelda S.*
Nueva Vizcaya State University, Philippines (imeldasocampo@gmail.com)
Abstract:
This study investigated the decision-making practices of school administrators and the professionalism of teachers in selected schools of the Apo Jose Catholic Educational Systems in Nueva Ecija. Specifically, it examined teachers’ perceptions of their principals’ decision-making along routine, adaptive, innovative, and participative dimensions and assessed teachers’ professionalism in terms of competency, commitment, self-discipline, expertise, integrity, and interpersonal skills. Furthermore, the study explored the relationship between principals’ decision-making practices and teachers’ professionalism and proposed targeted interventions to enhance both constructs. A total of 57 teachers, representing 83.82% of the teaching population, and nine school administrators, composed of four principals and five head teachers, participated in the study. Data were collected through validated questionnaires and analyzed using descriptive statistics and Pearson’s correlation coefficient to determine the strength and significance of relationships. Findings revealed that teachers perceived their principals’ decision-making practices as very good, with the highest ratings observed in routine and participative decision-making. Teachers’ professionalism was found to be very high, particularly in self-discipline, integrity, and interpersonal skills, while competency, commitment, and expertise were rated as high. Statistical analysis indicated a strong positive correlation (r = 0.785) between principals’ decision-making practices and teachers’ professionalism, highlighting the significant influence of administrative leadership on professional conduct. Based on these findings, the researcher designed Organization Development Intervention Programs (ODIP) to reinforce decision-making practices and professional standards. The study underscores the importance of collaborative and ethical administrative leadership in fostering teacher professionalism, promoting a culture of excellence, and enhancing overall school performance. educational management intervention, classroom decision-making styles, human relations skills.
Keywords: decision making, professionalism, organization development
DOI: https://doi.org/10.5861/ijrse.2026.26092
Cite this article:
Lopez, M. M., & Ocampo, I. S. (2026). Decision-making practices of school principals and their impact on teachers’ professionalism: A study of schools in the Apo Jose Catholic Educational System, Nueva Ecija. International Journal of Research Studies in Education, 15(5), 35-46. https://doi.org/10.5861/ijrse.2026.26092
* Corresponding Author