Whole school goals
Schools need to set clear goals that take into account the needs of students and the people who will support them in
their learning – teachers, parents, school management, boards of trustees, and the Ministry of Education.
Many schools undertake self-review
as a matter of course. Many are involved in school
development programmes. Self-review, school development,
and strategic planning are different names for the
same process. All involve working out what steps need
to be made to achieve improvement. For assistance in carrying out a self-review go to
Professional learning
Amendments to the Education Act in October 2001 have altered
the way in which schools are to plan and report to their communities
and the Government.
The purpose of the amendments is to increase the visibility of
learning and achievement in the dialogue between the Government
and schools. Schools are required to lodge a copy of the
annually updated section of their charter, and their annual report,
with the Ministry of Education.
The Government recognises that self-management is the best way
to respond to student and community diversity. However, it is also
consistent within the concept of self-management to require the
school sector to account for the outcomes – such as improvements
in literacy and numeracy, and in achievement for Māori and
Pacific students – that society holds important.
Further reading
Planning
in progress: Grantlea School's strategic plan
Principal Dave Hawkey uses a pin-board to record this Timaru school's strategic
plan, so that it can be updated as data change and new initiatives are developed.
Evidence to Action
– Legislation for ongoing improvement
Paper presented at the National Assessment Regional Seminars in
April 2002. Tim McMahon (Schools Planning and Reporting Project,
Ministry of Education) outlines the major thrust of the National
Assessment Strategy, and the importance of collecting usable assessment
evidence to inform formative practice.
Planning
and Reporting – Changes to Legislative Requirements
Ministry of Education page setting out the relevant sections of
the amendments.
The literacy vision
statement
Addresses the goal to raise achievement and close any
identified gaps in literacy throughout a school. Shows two examples
with action points, reflection, and evaluation questions.
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