Race to the Top (RttT) is a federal program designed to promote competition between states to reform and innovate K-12 education programs; states that make substantial progress in raising standards receive Federal Government grant money. To many scholars and practitioners, the limitations of George W. Bush’s No Child Left Behind necessitated RttT, and this new initiative has been valued for revolutionizing the reform efforts of K-12 schools across the nation.

With the author’s research on trust as a foundation, the importance of a relationship built on trust between teachers and school leaders will be explored. Definitions and basic research surrounding trust are also examined, as well as their impact on schools.

This research project measured the self-efficacy of preservice teachers before and after they completed their teacher education professional practicum experience during a study abroad experience. The Teachers’ Sense of Efficacy Scale (Tschannen-Moran & Woolfolk Hoy, 2001) was administered prior to the pre-service teachers’ professional practicum experience and after the experience had ended. Follow-up interviews were conducted at the conclusion of the experience…