GED3905

Improving the quality of education

Not offered in 1999

Professor D N Aspin

12 points - 3 hours per week - First semester - Clayton

Objectives Upon successful completion of this subject, students should have gained knowledge and understanding of the conceptions of education quality; the role of the school in recent proposals for enhancing quality; and the broad development of educational policy designed to bring about quality in schools, school systems and educational institutions.

Synopsis Quality is one of the key terms in the current educational debate. But what is quality and how do educating institutions know when they have found it or failed to find it? What measures need to be introduced to promote it and in ways that do not threaten or compromise other good things in our education and social system? This subject looks at these questions and examines international reform initiatives. It aims to provide access to a range of issues, trends and problems which will enhance the understanding of policy-makers, administrators, teachers and parents. The subject takes a problem-based approach and refers to empirical work of both quantitative and qualitative kinds. The subject will enable students to develop their own philosophy of quality education.

Assessment Seminar presentation and assignment (5000 words for MEd students, 8000 words for EdD students): 100%

Recommended texts

Aspin D N, Chapman J D and Wilkinson V R Quality schooling Cassell, 1994
Beare H, Caldwell B J and Millikan R H Creating an excellent school Routledge, 1989
Brighouse T and Tomlinson J Successful schools Education and Training Paper No. 4, Institute for Public Policy Research, 1991
Canadian Education Association Secondary schools in Canada: Report of the Canadian exemplary schools project 1995 Canadian Education Association, 1995
Chapman J D (ed.) School-based decision-making and management Falmer, 1990
Chapman J D, Froumin I and Aspin D N Creating and managing the democratic school Falmer 1995
Marsh C Spotlight on school improvement Allen and Unwin, 1988
Lieberman A (ed.) Rethinking school improvement: Research, craft and concept Teachers College Press, 1986
Ramsay W and Clark E New ideas for effective school improvement - vision, social capital, evaluation Falmer, 1990

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