Extending the Learning Landscape:Investigating A systemic Approach to School

Effectiveness in OmanDr.Mohamed E. Osman & Prof.Thuwayba A. Al Barwani

WithDr.Abdo M. Al Mekhlafi

Dr. Khalid Al Saadi Ms.Laila Alhashar

Ms.Fathiya Al MaawaliMs.Zuhor Al lawati

Acknowledgment

This three year project is funded fully by His Majesty Trust Fund under grant number (SR/EDU/TEC/14/01). The research team members would like to express their gratitude for the financial support of such a valuable project. Thanks and appreciation are also extended to SQU administration, in general, and the Deputy vice-chancellor for post graduate studies and Research (DVCPRS) and the Deanship of research, in particular, for their administrative support and efficient facilitation of the project implementation.

Outline

Context of the problem School effectiveness models Long term & Short term goals Methodology Project major milestones and timeline Achievement of the Project Challenges & opportunities

School Effectiveness

Innovation Sustainability Wheel (ISW)

Al Barwani, T. A., and Osman, M. E. (2011).

Start & Stop

Leadership

Research

Vision

Communication networks

Accountability

Resource mobilization

Participation

Professional Development

Reward system

Institutionalization

Coordination

Ownership

Empowerment

Leadership

Research

Vision

Communication networks

Accountability

Resource mobilization

Participation

Professional Development

Reward system

Institutionalization

Coordination

Ownership

Empowerment

Start & Stop

Innovation Sustainability Wheel (ISW)Al Barwani, T. A., and Osman, M. E. (2011).

Purpose of the Project:

This project aims to systemically activate and analyze the impact of all interrelated elements in the school system that promote the empowerment of student learning in the Sultanate of Oman. More specifically, it aims at furnishing the school system with a practical model for sustained improvement of the overall school performance.

Long Term Goals:

Extending the learning landscape through interactive learning environments for the purpose of achieving maximum empowerment of learners’ potential.

Maintaining the sustainability of educational innovations through informed mechanisms for closing the feedback loop among all interrelated subsystems.

Developing informed policies that are directly linked to return on investment.

Providing policy makers and practitioners with a research-based model for a long term future school improvement.

Short Term Goals:

Providing empirical evidence for theoretically-sound interventions that can maximize students’ learning potential.

Examining school leadership practices in improving the overall school efficiency.

Identifying the strengths and weaknesses of the interrelated elements of the system at the school level.

Establishing a continuous evaluation and cyclical feedback system that is directly linked to measurable learning outcomes.

Improving students’ attainment in five subject areas : Science , Math, English and Arabic Language literacy, & IT. Improving students’ attainment in critical thinking skills.

Providing the educational system in Oman with a workable mechanism for identifying key areas of weaknesses and means of improvement.

Establishing a chain of actions for activating all interrelated elements that act as driving forces for sustainable change.

Creating a culture of collaboration, commitment and ownership of school improvement in the part of all concerned (stakeholders) in the educational system.

Significance of The Project:

Significance of the Project (cont.):

Ensuring that the indicators of school improvement should include inputs, operational processes, and students’ learning outcomes.

Informing pre-service teacher education programs to prepare future teachers as change agents.

Contributing to the knowledge base in the area of school improvement with a research-based model that has potential implications for practitioners and policy makers.

Methodology:

• Population and sample

• Research Design

• Procedures

Research Instruments

Assessment measures data sources

Ministry of Education exams (students’ literacy (Arabic and English), Math, Science and IT)

• Students

• Teachers

• Administrators

• Supervisors

• Parents

• School records (teachers and students demographics and attendance)

• Curriculum documents

Critical Thinking, and Reading Literacy Tests (Arabic and English)

Satisfaction survey (for teachers and parents)

Teacher Collaboration Assessment Survey

School self-evaluation reports and ISW Assessment Questionnaire.

Supervisors’ reports

Students’ attitudes towards schooling.

Classroom Observation check lists

Analysis of students’ work

Project Major Milestones and Timeline

Task Year 1 Year 2 Year 3

Q1 Q2 Q3 Q4 Q1 Q2 Q3 Q4 Q1 Q2 Q3 Q4

Phase 1

Review related literature. Identify and assign sample groups.Collect schools’ baseline data.

               

Develop Research Instruments.Pilot Research InstrumentsAnalyze pilot data.Conduct training needs assessment.Conduct training workshops.Administer pre- tests, and questionnaires.

               

Develop Interventions                        

Report                

Phase 2

Implement interventions Collect school performance data.Administer students’ performance tests.

               

Re administer psychometric tests, and questionnaires.Conduct interviews.

               

Analyze data.                Report.                

Phase 3

Examine all elements of the school development model.

               

Analyze data                Develop policy documents                

Final Report                

Project Major Milestones and Timeline

Task Year 1Q1 Q2 Q3 Q4

Phase 1

       

       

Develop Interventions        

Report        

Review related literature.

Identify and assign sample groups.

Collect schools’ baseline data.

Develop Research Instruments.

Pilot Research Instruments

Analyze pilot data.

Conduct training needs assessment.

Conduct training workshops.

Administer pre- tests, and questionnaires.

Project Major Milestones and Timeline

Task Year 1Q1 Q2 Q3 Q4

Phase 1

       

       

Develop Interventions        

Report        

Review related literature.

Identify and assign sample groups.

Collect schools’ baseline data.

Develop Research Instruments.

Pilot Research Instruments

Analyze pilot data.

Conduct training needs assessment.

Conduct training workshops.

Administer pre- tests, and questionnaires.

Achievement of the Project

The Website

Research Printed Materials

The Forum

Main Meetings

The Project Orientation Workshop

Schools Visit

Schools Portfolio

Procurements

Surveys

Project Administration Process

Research AssistantsPhase 1 Achievement

Challenges & Opportunities

Approval from MOECoordination with SchoolsBudget

Introduction For Phase 2

Workshop Plans

Thank YouDr.Mohamed E. Osman & Prof.Thuwayba A. Al Barwani

WithDr.Abdo M. Al Mekhlafi

Dr. Khalid Al Saadi Ms.Laila Alhashar

Ms.Fathiya Al MaawaliMs.Zuhor Al lawati