School self-evaluation in a democracy

Abstract

This article offers a justification for school self- evaluation in a democracy, tracing the evolution of the concept from the seventies to the present day. It locates its relevance within a democratic approach to evaluation and case study methodology and outlines a particular model of school self-evaluation that is grounded in a theory of change generated from research into past attempts to change schools through external curriculum initiatives. A model of school self evaluation for development is proposed that is built into the ongoing operations of the school within a concept of self-accountable professionals. The process is described and a training programme outlined to support schools in this process. The chapter concludes with suggestions for strengthening the process within the school through changes in organisation, and outside the school by engaging pairs and/or clusters of schools evaluating similar issues.