School Effectiveness

Question 1

Effectiveness research

Answer 1

Disentangles the link between what the student brings to school and the educational experiences the student has at school (mainly related to academic achievement)

Question 2

Hofman et al

Answer 2

“In NL, a student from a highly ineffective school would need an additional period of 2 years to attain the same achievement certification at the end of secondary school as an equally talented student from a highly effective school.”

Question 3

Stoll & Fink 1996

Ineffective classrooms

Answer 3

Inconsistent approaches to teaching
Lack of challenge
Low levels of teacher-pupil interaction
High classroom noise levels
Frequent use of criticism and negative feedback

Question 4

Stoll & Fink 1996

Ineffective schools

Answer 4

Lack of vision & little teacher attachment to whole school vision
Unfocused leadership
Dysfunctional staff relationships

Question 5

Gray 1995

School quality performance indicators

Answer 5

1. Academic progress (quantitative)
2. Pupil satisfaction (qualitative)
3. Pupil-teacher relationships (qualitative)

Question 6

School effectiveness methodology

Answer 6

1. Mainly quantitative
2. Values replicability & reliability
3. Seeks to make generalisations
   but also
4. Works in partnership with practitioners
5. Values views and perceptions of stakeholders

Question 7

An effective school

Answer 7

A school where students progress further than might be expected, considering its intake. Adds value compared to similar schools

Question 8

Scheerens & Bosker 1997

Answer 8

being an effective school in the US, UK and NL seems to matter more for underprivileged and low achieving students

Question 9

Teddlie & Reynolds 2000

Processes in Effective Schools

Answer 9

1. Effective leadership
2. Effective teaching
3. Focus on learning
4. Positive school culture
5. High & appropriate expectations for all
6. Emphasis on responsibilities & rights
7. Monitoring progress at all levels
8. Developing staff skills at school
9. Involving parents in productive & appropriate ways

Question 10

Sammons et al 1997

Answer 10

Differences between departments/subject areas are an important explanation for differences in school effectiveness

Question 11

Harber & Davies 1997

Answer 11

Effects of educational processes on student achievement are larger in developing countries (up to 28% variance)

Question 12

Morley & Rassool 2000

Answer 12

School effectiveness research has been identified with taxonomies, checklists, performance indicators, target setting and league tables at the expense of values

Question 13

Ouston 1999

Answer 13

School effectiveness methodology can blur correlation and causation

Question 14

Harber & Davies 2005

Answer 14

SE research - relative to different situations and contexts - in developing countries, may relate more to attendance in school

Question 15

Harber & Muthukrishna 2000

Answer 15

School effectiveness in countries such as South Africa, may be more to do with providing basic conditions for learning e.g. safety, electricity