School improvement for schools facing challenging circumstances: a review of research and practice

Potter, D., Reynolds, D. and Chapman, C. (2002) School improvement for schools facing challenging circumstances: a review of research and practice. School Leadership and Management, 22(3), pp. 243-256. (doi: 10.1080/1363243022000020381)

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Abstract

The paper reviews the literature on 'what works' in school improvement taken from a number of sources--from effective schools studies, from accounts by headteachers who have turned schools around and from general literature on school improvement of the last 30 years. It is located within the paradigm of 'third wave' principles and practices that have now become axiomatic in the field, which the paper outlines as a commitment to capacity building in schools, to instructional effectiveness and to contextual specificity. It proceeds to outline in detail the practices that appear to be necessary, in terms of organisation, culture, leadership and ethos, to improve the levels of effectiveness of schools facing challenging circumstances. A number of particularly effective school improvement projects that materially influenced the review are outlined in detail also. (The paper is based upon a review of the literature commissioned by the Department of Education and Skills and distributed nationally to schools facing challenging circumstances in Spring/Summer 2001.)

Item Type:Articles
Status:Published
Refereed:Yes
Glasgow Author(s) Enlighten ID:Chapman, Professor Christopher
Authors: Potter, D., Reynolds, D., and Chapman, C.
College/School:College of Social Sciences > School of Education
College of Social Sciences > School of Education > Educational Leadership & Policy
Journal Name:School Leadership and Management
ISSN:1363-2434
Published Online:25 August 2010

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