Examining the Effect of Performance Assessment on Performance Improvement with the Mediating Role of Empowering Elementary School Teachers

The purpose of this study was to examin the effect of performance evaluation on performance improvement with the mediating role of empowering elementary school teachers. This study was a descriptive-correlational one. The statistical population of the study included all elementary teachers in Zahedan city (N=200). Using Morgan and Krejcie's (1971) Table for determining sample size, 200 teacher were census selected. Spritzer empowerment questionnaire (2003), Zare'i Robat performance assessment questionnaire (2014) and Sung performance improvement questionnaire (2008) were used to collect the data of the study. The content validity of the questionnaire was reviewed and confirmed. Based on Cronbach's alpha coefficient, it was estimated that the reliabilities of the questionnaires were 0.769, 0.811 and 0.712, respectively. Using SPSS 23.0 and LISREL 8.8., data were analyzed at two levels of descriptive and inferential statistics, including Pearson correlation coefficient and structural equation modeling. The result of structural equation modeling indicated that performance evaluation has a direct effect on performance improvement and empowerment. However, the indirect effect of performance assessment on performance improvement through the empowerment was lower than its direct effect.