This book develops an approach to school development which is contextual in that it considers both the larger social structure of which the school is a part and those special features of schools themselves which impact upon the possibilities for their improvement. The book derives from a eight year longitudinal study of school evaluation at St Mary's College, a Catholic girls school in Tasmania. It builds upon, and provides a practical exploration of, such recent developments as Straratt and Caldwell's work on educational vision, the role of evaluation in measuring the extent to which a school's vision has become reality; the effective implementation and management of change, and Coleman and Hoffer's notion of social capital and the importance of school community networks in effective education.

This book examines the powerful concept of implementation - or what actually happens in practice when innovations or reforms are attempted - by demonstrating its uses in a variety of policy and programme applications.

The pressure on schools to improve and to raise achievement continues to be a dominant issue in both school and government policies. School Effectiveness and School Improvement seeks to develop the debate further, providing academics and practitioners alike with • a summary and discussion of research on school effectiveness and school improvement up to the present; • new perspectives on these fields, developed from other traditions of thinking and research; • a consideration of the role of organization theory; • an integrated view of these current perspectives; and • clear, practical implications for policy and practice.

First published in 1997. Routledge is an imprint of Taylor & Francis, an informa company.

First published in 1997. Routledge is an imprint of Taylor & Francis, an informa company.

One of the most important challenges teachers face is making sure children can read. It is an absolutely crucial skill, and current educational policy is giving it a very high priority. Based on one of the largest studies ever undertaken of what primary schools do to improve literacy, this book reports what Professor Ted Wragg and his research team found. The importance placed on literacy has never been greater. When children learn to read, they are laying the foundations for their entire educational future. Effective teachers can make a huge difference, as a poor start can hinder children throughout their schooling and beyond. By looking at what actually goes on in classrooms, this volume provides an invaluable insight into what happens to children and how their reading progresses. It shows how particular teachers manage the improvement of their pupils' reading levels, and also follows individual pupils through a school year. This is a very readbale account of a fascinating and crucial area of research that is highly topical. Every class teacher should read it.

Teachers in primary schools deal with a wide range of issues every day. This book helps teachers to understand those issues, and how they fit in with recent government policies and initiatives. Each chapter looks at: * relevant statements of policy or initiative * how these statements fit into the context of specific schools * the challenges they present for those involved in schools * how schools can respond to these challenges * learning across contexts Each chapter has been written by one practitioner and one academic and between them the chapters cover the whole range of Australian primary schools.

This book aims to demystify the principles and practice of school improvement by demonstrating how successful classroom and school improvement occurs. It outlines the conditions, strategies and approaches that promote sustainable improvement and provides an overview of the main theoretical perspectives in this area. This accessible text will be useful for practitioners working within schools and with schools, offering clear guidance for those keen to raise standards and improve achievement. The What's In It For Schools? series aims to make educational policy issues relevant to practitioners. Each book in the series focuses on a major educational issue. The author sets the issue in context, looks at how it impacts on the daily lives of schools and teachers, and raises key questions. The books are grounded in sound theory, recent research evidence and best practice, and will make an excellent addition to any staffroom bookshelf.

There has been a dearth of books covering themes and issues related to university-school partnerships and school development from an international perspective, particularly providing examples on university-school partnerships in the Asia-Pacific region.The book is broadly divided into two parts. Part One focuses on university-school partnership while Part Two highlights changes in school development. The nature of different partnerships, as well as the experiences of and research on school development in connection with individual strategies and organizational strategies are described. The contributors are all renowned scholars, school reformers, and experienced practitioners from the United States, Norway, Sweden, the United Kingdom, Australia, and Hong Kong. Together they provide an international perspective on the issues related to school partnerships and development.

School improvement in recent years has largely focused on rapid improvement and quick fixes. Yet, genuine and sustainable school improvement is complex, gradual and incremental. It requires developing a culture and focusing relentlessly on teaching and learning. The Gradual Art of School Improvement is a comprehensive practical guide to school improvement, covering aspects such as improvement planning, staff development, the learning environment, dealing with outside pressures including inspection, curriculum design and the role of leaders at all levels. It includes: Detailed accounts of the steps that can be taken to create a positive learning culture over time Case studies and worked examples, concentrating on the practical aspects of school improvement from the perspective of an experienced and successful head teacher Ready-to-use practitioner resources that readers can adapt and use in their own settings Accessibly written and entertaining, this book is an invaluable resource for leaders at all levels and stages of their career.