School Quality Research Articles

Effectiveness of Teachers Training Program in Enhancing Teaching Competence of Public Primary School Teachers in Ilemela Municipality, Tanzania

The study aims to investigate the Effectiveness of Teachers Training Program in Enhancing Teaching Competence of Public Primary School Teachers in Ilemela Municipality, Tanzania. The problem of this study was answered by the one research questions; TCPD training programs in enhancing teaching competence. The study was guided by the Social Cognitive Theory. The current study employed convergent design under mixed research methods approach. The target population consisted of various stakeholders, including 81 public primary schools, 1,047 teachers, 19 Ward Education Officers, 81 head teachers, and 8 District quality assurers making total number of 1155 population. The sample size for the current study consisted of 16 public primary schools, 192 teachers, 16 head teachers, 6 Ward Education Officers (WEO), and 2 District School Quality Assurers (DSQA), totaling 216 respondents. Questionnaires, interview guides, and document analysis guides were used to collect data from respondents. Data collection instruments were validated by MWECAU research experts. A pilot study was conducted in two public primary schools. The reliability of questionnaires for Likert-type items was estimated using Cronbach's Alpha Coefficient whereby r= 0.889 for teachers while that of qualitative established through peer debriefing and triangulation. The study adhered to ethical considerations throughout the research process. Descriptive statistics were analyzed quantitative data using SPSS version 26. Qualitative data was analyzed thematically. The study found that the TCPD is highly effective in improving teaching competence through focused training on classroom management, instructional design, differentiated instruction, student engagement, and technology integration significantly improved their teaching skills. The study concluded that Continuing Professional Development (CPD) effectively Enhanced Teaching Competence of Public Primary School Teachers in Ilemela Municipality to the high extent. The study recommended that a similar training program should be implemented regularly to equip teachers with up-date skills and knowledge.

Middle Leadership in Irish Primary Schools: A Critical Analysis of Principals’ Perspectives

This paper shares some preliminary findings from doctoral research exploring Irish primary school principals’ views regarding middle leadership. This qualitative study used a grounded theory approach to investigating their perspectives, using interviews, observations, and extant documents. The findings reported here relate to interviews conducted with ten principals. Leadership’s centrality to quality schooling is widely recognised, but the demands of school leadership have become too vast for individual leadership. Middle leaders (MLs), situated between senior leaders and teachers, are uniquely positioned to assist with this. Their proximity to the classroom enables them to influence teaching and learning more readily than principals. But their role remains under-researched. Investigating principals’ perspectives is critical to leveraging the ML role because principals can decide its parameters and act as a barrier or support to the role.

CHALLENGES OF GREEN SCHOOL QUALITY ASSESSMENT

The Green School Quality Standard offers criteria for integrating holistic institutional and sustainable development education, that demonstrate commitment to green education, integrate environmental principles and climate action into the delivery of school educational services. The ultimate goal of the standard is to provide a complete educational roadmap, that ensures continuity and interdependence between educational stages, from early years to higher education. In article recommendations are made for improving the implementation of the audit for quality of green education, discussing also the road map for completing audit processing of the results from activity of the green school.

Leading boarding school quality management (Multisite study of man Insan Cendekia Serpong and Smanu Mh Thamrin Jakarta)

The research objectives are 1). Analyzing the planning of the learning process in improving the quality of boarding school education. 2). Analyzing the implementation of the learning process in improving the quality of boarding school education. 3). Analyzing authentic supervision and assessment (authentic supervision and assessment) of the learning process in improving the quality of boarding school education. 4). Analyzing improvements in the quality of the learning process in improving the quality of boarding school education in improving the quality of education owned by MAN Insan Cendekia Serpong and SMANU MH Thamrin Jakarta. The research method uses a qualitative approach by collecting data through observation, interviews and documentation to obtain accurate data. This research was conducted at MAN Insan Cendekia Serpong and SMANU MH. Thamrin Jakarta. Results of research on the quality management of leading boarding schools, a multisite study by MAN Insan Cendekia Serpong and SMANU MH. Thamrin Jakarta. The research results show that the quality of education services in schools is in accordance with national education standards. The relationship between quality and service is closely related to accreditation, curriculum and strategic plans.

Analysis of the Current Situation and Optimization Paths of Teaching Quality in Rural Primary Schools in Ganzi Prefecture under the Background of “Double Reduction”

To further implement the fundamental task of strengthening moral education and cultivating people, the country issued the “double reduction” policy in 2021. Nowadays, the whole country is reducing the academic burden on students with unprecedented policy intensity. Although the development speed of education in ethnic regions is relatively slow, this policy has also been gradually promoted and implemented in the basic education stage. This article takes “double reduction” as the background and observes the current situation of teaching quality in rural primary schools in Ganzi Prefecture through questionnaires and interviews. It analyzes the objective factors in three aspects: learning quality, teaching quality, and management quality, and proposes optimization paths for teaching quality.

Patterns of professional identity in school counselors: A latent profile analysis

AbstractUnderstanding school counselors’ professional identity development is important to promote positive work‐related outcomes and provide appropriate support for more quality school counseling services. The purpose of this study was to examine the patterns of professional identity in school counselors. As a result of latent profile analysis using a sample of school counselors (N = 343), we found five types of professional identity, including (1) Well‐Developed (n = 99; 28.9%), (2) High Competence (n = 53; 15.5%), (3) Moderate (n = 156; 45.5%), (4) Professionally Disconnected (n = 18; 5.2%), and (5) Vulnerable (n = 17; 5.0%). Based on the profiles, we identified significant differences in their work‐related attitudes and experiences (i.e., burnout, stress, job satisfaction, and years of school counseling experience), but there were no significant differences in demographics except for the American School Counselor Association membership. Implications and recommendations for counseling professionals are suggested.

Efektivitas Komunitas Belajar dalam Meningkatkan Kualitas Guru di Sekolah

Teacher learning communities are regarded as essential means to improve education quality through collaboration and professional development. However, implementation within formal school contexts faces challenges, such as time constraints, limited structural support, and low awareness of the benefits of learning communities. This study aims to explore the effectiveness of learning communities in enhancing teacher quality in schools and to identify factors influencing teacher participation. The research method employed is a literature review, encompassing analysis of 25 articles from various relevant academic journals. Thematic analysis highlights key topics, including effectiveness, challenges, and opportunities for the development of learning communities. Findings indicate that learning communities have a positive role in enhancing teacher competence and work motivation. However, significant obstacles remain, such as lack of support from school management and limited understanding. The study also emphasizes the potential for digital technology-based learning communities, which could increase teacher participation by providing more flexible access. This study concludes that stronger policy support and further research are needed to address implementation barriers and maximize the potential of learning communities to enhance teaching quality in schools.

Enhancing Face Validity in Teaching Quality with Six Sigma Approach for Sustainable Development Goals (SDG)

Objective: The Teacher Teaching Quality Instrument using the Six Sigma approach (T²Qi-6σ) is a new tool for assessing teaching quality in primary and secondary schools. As such, it is essential to carefully review each item in T²Qi-6σ for face validity, including an assessment of language use, sentence structure, vocabulary appropriateness, and spelling accuracy. This is useful in providing the empirical evidence for supporting sustainable development goals (SDG) initiatives specially to enhance the quality of item assessment. Theoretical Framework: This study aims to test the face validity of T²Qi-6σ using Content Validity Ratio (CVR) analysis by Lawshe (1975). This CVR adapted to be used for face validity even the method mainly applied for establishing content validity. Method: A total of ten assessors were selected using a purposive sampling technique consisting of six test takers and four language experts. The face validity of the T²Qi-6σ involves as many as 125 items with five primary constructs based on Six Sigma: define, measure, analyze, improve, and control. Results and Discussion: The quantitative findings of the study indicate that the instrument demonstrates strong face validity, with 113 items meeting the minimum CVR value (N=10, CVRcritical = 0.62). Efforts have been made to enhance 12 items that initially did not meet the minimum CVR value. In total, 125 items T²Qi-6σ show great promise as a psychometric measurement tool to enhance the quality of teaching among educators. Research Implications: T²Qi-6σ assists educators in enhancing their self-competence and teaching quality, offering benefits and implications for theory, the field of measurement, and the implementation of the Six Sigma approach in education in Malaysia. Originality/Value: The assessment of CVR indicates that T²Qi-6σ demonstrates high face validity and suitability for use. The consensus among the panel of assessors evaluating face validity clearly demonstrates that T²Qi-6σ is appropriate and relevant for use in the study aimed at enhancing the quality of teacher instruction through the Six Sigma approach. The use of Six Sigma aims to broaden the knowledge base for quality assessment in education, which has traditionally relied on similar methods. It would be intriguing to evaluate the impact of the Six Sigma DMAIC model in the Malaysian education sector.

Pengaruh Lingkungan Kerja dan Disiplin Kerja Terhadap Kinerja Guru SMP Negeri 2 Babakancikao Purwakarta

Human Resources, especially teachers, have a very large influence and are considered the main key in improving the quality of schools and educational goals. However, there is still a lack of collaboration and cooperation between teachers and between teachers and education staff, and the high rate of absenteeism without obvious reasons is also a significant problem that affects the continuity of learning. The purpose of this study is to determine the influence of work environment and work discipline on teacher performance partially and simultaneously at SMP Negeri 2 Babakancikao Purwakarta. The research method used is a quantitative method with data collection techniques through observation, questionnaires and interviews. The sample used was 31 people (saturated sample). Data analysis using multiple linear regression data analyzer with the help of SPSS software version 26. The results of the study show that the work environment has no effect on teacher performance. Meanwhile, work discipline has an effect and is significant on employee performance. Simultaneous hypothesis testing shows that the work environment and work discipline together have a significant influence on teacher performance. This research has important implications for the development of management policies and practices in the educational environment. Good work discipline contributes positively to teacher performance and improves performance to achieve organizational goals..

Extensiveness of Teachers' Competence in Using Table of Specifications in Constructing Formative Assessment Test Items in Public Secondary Schools in Hanang District, Tanzania

The study examined teachers' competence in using tables of specifications in constructing formative assessment items in public secondary schools in Hanang district, Tanzania. Using Bloom's Taxonomy, a mixed-methods approach was employed, with 119 participants selected from 712 individuals, including teachers, heads of schools, academic masters/mistresses, and district school quality assurers. The study used questionnaires, interview guides, interview schedules and document analysis guides for data collection. Research experts assessed content and face validity for quantitative instruments, while qualitative instruments were validated through peer debriefing and triangulation. Data was presented in tables and analyzed using descriptive statistics and thematic analysis. The study revealed that public secondary school teachers vary in their competence of using the table of specifications when designing formative assessment test items. Moderately proficient teachers adhere to all procedures, while others struggle with determining question numbers and distribution. Based on the findings, the study concluded that teachers who are teaching students in public secondary schools were inadequately utilizing the table of specifications when designing formative assessment test items in public secondary schools. The study suggests that the government should prioritize professional development training to improve teachers' competencies in setting formative assessment test items, enhancing student learning outcomes.

Implementasi Manajemen Pembiayaan dalam Meningkatkan Mutu Sekolah di SDIT Al Ishlah Cibinong Bogor

The research in this thesis is based on the development of educational institutions today, so many are experiencing difficulties in developing and even no longer operating (closing), because they may not be able to survive in the current era of disruption. This is a problem that we often encounter in various regions, both rural and urban. Cost is also one of the influencing factors in the development and progress of schools or educational institutions and even affects the quality of students inside and outside school. In this study using qualitative methods, more precisely descriptive qualitative with a field research approach. The data obtained are in the form of written words, oral speech, forms of behavior that can be observed through interviews, observation and documentation. This specific finding description relates to the results of the study, compiled based on answers to questions in the research through interviews, documentation, and direct observations in the field. To describe financing management in an effort to improve the quality or quality of education at SDIT Al Ishlah Cibinong, Financing Management in Program Planning and Financing Management in Budget Management at SDIT Al Ishlah Cibinong

Schools and Indoor Air Quality: seasonal variation

Abstract Background Indoor Air Quality (IAQ) in schools is a public health concern, given the vulnerability of children as a demographic group and substantial amount of time that they spend in (highly occupied) classrooms. Conditions specific for school buildings, as well as location and outdoor air quality (OAQ), can adversely affect IAQ and children’s health. The aim of this study was to examine the seasonal variation in IAQ and the influence of OAQ herein in primary schools. Methods Sampling was carried out in summer and winter in 5 schools in central Poland. A culture-dependent method using impactors was applied to examine the total number of bacteria and fungi. Gas chromatography with flame ionization detector (quartz filters for sampling) was applied to determine concentrations of 16 polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs), crucial for their health impact. Results In poorly ventilated classrooms bacteria levels exceeded that of fungi. Bacterial contamination decreased in efficiently ventilated rooms, and before/after the lessons. In summer fungi concentration in indoor air was higher than in winter and reached the level of fungi outdoors. PAHs concentrations (especially those with 4 and more rings, which are biologically active) and the mutagenicity and carcinogenicity equivalents were elevated in winter and related to changes in concentrations in outdoor air. Conclusions IAQ in schools depends on a season. Occupants in classrooms are the main source of bacteria, but the type and number of microorganisms also depend on ventilation conditions. PAHs characteristic of coal/wood combustion indicates that in the absence of internal emission sources, external sources most likely affect IAQ in schools in winter.

Analisis Faktor-Faktor yang Mempengaruhi Kualitas Penyusunan Anggaran Sekolah Menengah Pertama: Studi Kualitatif di Medan

This research aims to analyze the factors that influence the quality of junior high school (SMP) budget preparation in Medan. Using a qualitative approach, this research involved in-depth interviews with 30 key informants from 10 junior high schools in Medan City. The research results identified 5 (five) main factors that influence the quality of budget preparation: (1) human resource competency, (2) government regulations and policies, (3) stakeholder participation, (4) use of information technology, and (5) culture school organization.

Strategi Perencanaan Manajemen Hubungan Masyarakat dalam Meningkatkan Mutu Sekolah serta Membangun Peran Masyarakat dalam Lembaga Pendidikan

This research aims to describe (1) public relations management planning strategies, (2) improving school quality and (3) building the role of the community in educational institutions. This research uses a qualitative research method, literature study. The method used is library research, collecting data by searching for sources and constructing them from various sources such as books, journals and existing research. The results of this research indicate that (1) planning, implementation and evaluation processes are needed to manage community relations with schools, (2) schools carry out community relations as a public relations work program by socializing the school's image, and (3) evaluation of these activities is carried out in implementation. Future public relations will be carried out by involving and including the participation of parents, the community and other educational institutions to be able to establish collaborative activities and educational collaboration through school public relations information and communication.

Housing choice in an evolving remote work landscape

We estimate a joint model of housing choice along several dimensions to account for changing valuations of housing outcomes due to the COVID-19 pandemic. We consider housing outcomes including housing type, tenure type, the presence of a patio or yard, the number of bedrooms, neighborhood population density, median housing cost, accessibility of amenities, school quality, crime rate, and commute distance. Data used for this analysis were collected in October and November of 2021 from 24 metropolitan areas across the United States. A Generalized Heterogeneous Data Model (GHDM) is used to estimate these housing outcomes as a function of exogenous household sociodemographic characteristics and latent lifestyle propensities. The GHDM also captures jointness caused by unobserved factors, allowing for the estimation of accurate causal effects between outcomes. The results reveal that lifestyle preferences have significant impacts on housing outcomes. Specifically, individuals with a preference for teleworking are more likely to reside in single-family homes in highly populated areas, experience longer commute distances, and exhibit a higher sensitivity to the presence of amenities in their neighborhoods. Additionally, the analysis of tradeoffs between housing outcomes reveals the relative valuations of various housing outcomes. An increased commute distance is found to lead to an increase in single-family homes, reductions in density, and an increased crime rate. Choosing an apartment in a high-density neighborhood is found to lead to reductions in school quality and significant increases in crime rates. Implications of the results for land-use planning, travel demand analysis, and equity considerations are identified and discussed.

Elementary School Teacher's Competence in Implementing Differentiated Learning in Surakarta City

In elementary schools, differentiated learning is crucial as this phase is a critical period for establishing fundamental learning and child development. Differentiated learning aims not only to improve academic outcomes but also to develop students' social and emotional skills. The findings are expected to offer concrete recommendations for developing more effective teacher training programs and educational policies that support differentiated learning, enhancing education quality and student learning outcomes in elementary schools. This study evaluates elementary school teachers' competencies in implementing differentiated learning in Surakarta. A survey research design was used to collect data on teachers' abilities to plan, implement, and evaluate differentiated learning. Using a quantitative approach, the study involved 214 teachers randomly selected from various elementary schools in Surakarta. The distributed questionnaire collected data on knowledge, skills, and differentiated learning practices. The collected data were analyzed using descriptive statistical analysis with SPSS software. The results reveal variation in teacher competencies, with strengths primarily in using differentiated learning media and practice reflection, while the greatest challenges are in assessing student learning progress and implementing strategies. These findings highlight the need for additional training and support to enhance the effectiveness of differentiated learning implementation in elementary schools.

Harnessing Leadership Styles to Enhance the Effectiveness of Secondary School Dynamics in the Vhembe District

The study aimed to explore the relationship between leadership styles and their effectiveness in enhancing the culture of secondary schools in the Vhembe District, South Africa. The study aimed to identify how different leadership approaches impact educator performance, learner achievement, and overall school dynamics. It also sought to provide recommendations for fostering leadership practices that positively influence these domains. A qualitative research approach was used, using purposive sampling to select 20 participants with substantial experience and knowledge of leadership dynamics within secondary schools in the Vhembe East District. The study collected in-depth insights into the various leadership styles practised and their effects on the school environment through interviews and observations. Key findings revealed a variety of leadership styles, from democratic to authoritarian, and their differing impacts on educators and learners. While collaborative and culturally responsive leadership practices enhanced school culture and performance, inconsistent or overly authoritative leadership led to challenges such as low educator morale and poor learner outcomes. The power and influence theory and Leadership trait theory provided a framework for understanding the dynamics of power and the traits that contribute to effective leadership. The study indicated that enhancing collaborative leadership, promoting culturally responsive practices, and maintaining consistency in leadership approaches are crucial to improving leadership quality in secondary schools. These findings contribute to the scholarship by offering practical insights that can guide the development of leadership training programs and inform policy-making in educational leadership, ultimately aiming to cultivate positive and supportive school dynamics. Keywords: Leadership, Leadership Style, School Ecosystem, Leadership Effectiveness, Leadership Trait.

Components in Lesson Planning for Secondary School Teachers in Tanzania: Implications for Supervision and Teachers’ Training

Purpose. The purpose of the study was to identify specific components of a lesson plan that teachers struggle to design. Methodology. The study used a qualitative research approach and an exploratory case study design. The criterion-purposeful sampling technique was employed to select eighteen (18) participants from six public secondary schools in the Kilimanjaro region of Tanzania. The study participants comprised six heads of secondary schools, six internal school quality assurance officers, and six teachers. Through semi-structured interviews and document reviews, data on specific components of the lesson plan that teachers find challenging to design was collected. The reviewed documents included school performance evaluation reports (SPERs) and lesson plans. The researchers employed thematic analysis methods. The study also followed all necessary principles of research ethics, including obtaining participants’ consent and employing pseudonyms. Results. The study found that teachers were struggling in formulating a coherent statement of specific lesson objectives, teaching and learning materials, and teaching and learning activities. The study also demonstrated that teachers faced difficulties in selecting effective teaching and learning approach, establishing assessment criteria, and conducting proper lesson evaluation. Conclusion. We conclude that inadequate design of one component of the lesson plan negatively affects the overall quality of the lesson plan, the delivery of lessons in the classroom, and the quality of education. Therefore, instructional supervisors and teacher trainers must take immediate action to assist teachers in developing lesson planning skills. This endeavour will not only result in improved lesson planning and delivery by teachers, but it will also contribute to an overall improvement in student learning and educational quality.

Impact of Servant Leadership, Self-Efficacy and Work Stress on Teachers’ Performance at Christian School

This study aims to analyze the effect of servant leadership, self-efficacy, and work stress on teachers’ performance. Aside from that, the study will also investigate if work stress can mediate the effect of servant leadership and self-efficacy on teachers’ performance. The approach used in this study is a quantitative approach, to confirm relationships between the variables. This is done by using a 36-person sample and a questionnaire modified from a number of other research. Data was collected by giving questionnaires to the teachers of a Christian High School and Middle School in Bandung. Then, the data was processed using Partial Least Square Structural Equation Modelling, by testing the validity and reliability first, and then testing the hypothesis. The result of this research shows that servant leadership has a positive effect on performance, although not significant. Meanwhile, self-efficacy has significant positive effect on performance. Work stress can affect performance negatively, although it wasn’t found to be significant in this study. For the mediation effect, work stress can mediate the positive effect of servant leadership and self-efficacy on performance, but not significantly. So in order to maintain or increase the quality of school, teachers need to have high self-efficacy level, and the school can help with that by mentoring and coaching, or other methods.

The implications of digital school quality information for neighbourhood and school segregation: Evidence from a natural experiment in Los Angeles

A digital information explosion has transformed cities’ residential and educational markets in ways that are still being uncovered. Although urban stratification scholars have increasingly scrutinised whether emerging digital platforms disrupt or reproduce longstanding segregation patterns, direct links between one theoretically important form of digital information – school quality data – and neighbourhood and school segregation are rarely drawn. To clarify these dynamics, we leverage an exogenous digital information shock, in which the Los Angeles Times’ website revealed measures of a particularly important school quality proxy – schools’ value-added effectiveness – for nearly all elementary schools in the Los Angeles Unified School District. Results suggest that although the information shock had no detectable effects on residential sorting or neighbourhood racial segregation, it did exert modest effects on school sorting – particularly for Latino and Asian students – albeit not in ways that materially diminished school racial segregation because the racial compositions of high- and low-value-added schools were broadly similar both before and after the information shock. We conclude that the urban stratification implications of digital information may be more nuanced than often appreciated, with effects operating through mechanisms beyond residential segregation and reflecting racial heterogeneity in constraints and preferences vis-à-vis specific types of information.