Improving Quality in Education

This book explores an approach to school improvement that merges the traditions of educational effectiveness research and school improvement efforts. It displays how the dynamic model, which is theoretical and empirically validated, can be used in both traditions. Each chapter integrates evidence from international and national studies, showing how the knowledge-base of educational effectiveness research can be used for improvement purposes. In a clear and practicable manner it outlines: - Foundations of the improvement approach - Research projects investigating the impact of the dynamic approach - Guidelines and practical solutions to translating the approach into action - Further developments for school improvement Exploring the crucial factors in the establishment of this environment, the authors outline a dynamic framework that helps schools collect data, through self-evaluation mechanisms, taking decisions about priorities for improvement, and developing appropriate policies and action plans. This approach emphasises educational targets and provides means to achieve them that are flexible enough to fit in with the circumstances of the individual school. The book draws upon research across the world, conducted especially in the United States, Europe, and Australasia, expertly showcasing how the dynamic approach can be used in a wide variety of educational settings A key book for all professionals working in education; academics, researchers, policy-makers, school advisors and practitioners will find it invaluable. Not only it is a must for graduate students, university libraries, and individual academics but also for school management teams, school support agencies and officials in educational policy.

Bert P.M. Creemers is Professor in Educational Sciences at the University of Groningen, the Netherlands. Leonidas Kyriakides is Assistant Professor of Educational Research and Evaluation at the University of Cyprus.

Part A Foundations of the Improvement Approach 1. Developments in school improvement: the value of a theory-driven approach 2. Establish links between educational effectiveness research and school improvement: the contribution of the dynamic model 3. The dynamic approach to school improvement Part B Research Projects on the Dynamic Approach to School Improvement 4. Establishing School Self Evaluation mechanisms to improve the quality of education 5. Facing and preventing bullying through improving the school learning environment 6. Schools establishing school self evaluation mechanisms for improvement purposes: Case studies of two primary schools in Slovenia 7. Using DASI to improve teacher effectiveness: a group randomisation study 8. Development of DASI: studies on teacher effectiveness in different educational settings Part C Translating the approach into action: guidelines and instruments 9. Using DASI to establish mechanisms for school self-evaluation for improvement purposes 10. Instruments for measuring quality of teaching and school level factors 11. The design of actions and strategies for improvement, their implementation and evaluation Part D Further developments of the dynamic approach to school improvement 12. Reflections on the viability of the approach