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Course unit details:
School Improvement
| Unit code | EDUC70882 |
|---|---|
| Credit rating | 15 |
| Unit level | FHEQ level 7 – master's degree or fourth year of an integrated master's degree |
| Teaching period(s) | Semester 2 |
| Offered by | Education |
| Available as a free choice unit? | Yes |
Overview
' The historical development and current context of school improvement.
- The relationship between school effectiveness and school improvement.
- Central models and theories of school improvement.
- Initiating, implementing and embedding change.
- Improving classroom practice.
- Target setting and external pressures for raising pupil achievement.
- Turning around ineffective schools.
- Creating a learning structure.
- Critical success factors in school improvement - lessons from case studies and consultancy.
- Future perspectives - school improvement in the 21st century.
Aims
The course unit aims to develop students' knowledge and understanding of practical approaches to school improvement and of current theories, issues and debates in the field.
Learning outcomes
On completion of this unit successful students will be able to:
- Demonstrate their understanding of the major approaches to school improvement;
- Critically analyse the main conceptual and theoretical issues underpinning such approaches;
- Understand the range and complexity of school improvement efforts;
- Apply research findings from school improvement programmes to their own situation and to other educational contexts;
- Act as advocate for school improvement efforts in their own institutions.
- Critical analysis of appropriate literatures;
- Understanding the complexity of the relationship between theory and practice;
- Appreciation / conceptualisation of current issues in the field;
Teaching and learning methods
The course unit will be taught using a variety of approaches including, group lectures, group activities, presentations by students, fieldwork and small group tutorials.
Assessment methods
Essay or case study
Recommended reading
Ainscow, M and West, M (Eds) (2006) Improving Urban Schools: Leadership and Collaboration, Buckingham: Open University Press
Barth,R (1990) Improving Schools from Within. San Francisco: Jossey-Bass
Connor, C and Southworth, G (1999) Managing Improving Primary Schools: Using Evidence Based Management and Leadership, London: Falmer
Hopkins, D Ainscow, M and West, M (1994) School Improvement in an Era of Change, London: Cassell
Reynolds, D et al (1996) Making Good Schools: Linking School Effectiveness and School Improvement, London: Routledge
Sergiovanni, R J (1994) Building Community in Schools, San Francisco: Jossey-Bass
Additional notes
Information
This course unit is compulsory for students on the MEd Educational Leadership and School Improvement.