Obstacles to School Reform: Understanding School Improvement in a UAE International School

Dr. Jake Madden

Authors

Dr. Jake Madden

Keywords:

school improvement; school climate, leadership

Abstract

This research paper reports on data from an International School in Abu Dhabi that has been engaged in the initial stages of school improvement. Using a constructivist grounded theory design, qualitative and quantitative data were employed to investigate the school's climate and its capacity for change. Applying Schiemann's 'People Equity' framework (2009), data were collected about the level of staff's Alignment, Capability and Engagement (ACE). The Principal was interviewed about his understandings and expectations for school reform and teacher development, and site-based data about staff and student outcomes was drawn from the school.

Downloads

How to Cite

Obstacles to School Reform: Understanding School Improvement in a UAE International School. (2019). Global Journal of Human-Social Science, 19(G11), 1-10. https://socialscienceresearch.org/index.php/GJHSS/article/view/3065

Download Citation

References

Mel Ainscow, John Beresford, Alma Harris, David Hopkins, Geoff Southworth, Mel West (2013) Creating the Conditions for School Improvement.

Abdul Almakadma, Suhasini Ramisetty-Mikler (2015) Student, school, parent connectedness, and school risk behaviors of adolescents in Saudi Arabia. 2(3-4), 128-135.

Al Sumaiti, R (2012) 7 Parental Involvement at School by Race. 129-152.

(2012) The politics of education reform in the Middle East.

Nadera Alborno, Eman Gaad (2014) ' I ndex for I nclusion': a framework for school review in the U nited A rab E mirates. 41(3), 231-248.

C Anderson (1982) The search for school climate: A review of the research. 52(3), 368-420.

Simon Leonard (2011) Professional Conversations: Mentor Teachers' Theories-in-Use Using the Australian National Professional Standards for Teachers. 37(12).

Bernard Barker (2007) The leadership paradox: Can school leaders transform student outcomes?. 18(1), 21-43.

John Benson (2011) An investigation of chief administrator turnover in international schools. 10(1), 87-103.

K Charmez (2002) Grounded theory: Objectivist and constructivist methods. 509-535.

Yin Cheng (2009) Teacher management and educational reforms: Paradigm shifts. 39(1), 69-89.

J Corbin, A Strauss (1990) Grounded theory research: Procedures, canons and evaluative criteria. 13(1), 3-21.

J Creswell (2004) Research design: Qualitative, quantitative and mixed methods approaches.

L Darling-Hammond, A Lieberman (2012) Teacher education around the world: Changing policies and practices Routledge Taylor and Francis.

S Dinham (2013) The Annual Phillip Hughes Oration The quality teaching movement in Australia: Losing our confidence, losing our way and getting back on track, ACT Branch of ACE.

Grace Dondero (1997) Organizational climate and teacher autonomy: implications for educational reform. 11(5), 218-221.

R Du Four, R Marzano (2011) Leaders of learning: How district, school, and classroom leaders improve student achievement.

Iris Duhn (2011) Towards Professionalism/s. 133-146.

H Freiberg (1999) School climate: Measuring improving and sustainin healthy learning environments.

M Fullan (2014) the principal: Three keys to maximizing impact.

Roberta Gatti, Matteo Morgandi, Stefanie Brodmann, Diego Angel-Urdinola, Juan Moreno, Daniela Marotta, Marc Schiffbauer, Elizabeth Mata Lorenzo (2013) Jobs for Shared Prosperity.

P Hallinger (1980) Reviewing reviews of research in educational leadership an empirical assessment. 50(4), 157-191.

(1997) Beyond educational reform: Bringing teachers back in.

A Hargreaves, M Fullan (2012) Professional capital: Transforming teaching in every school Teachers.

John Hattie (2009) Visible Learning: The Sequel.

D Hawley (1995) How long do International School heads survive? Part II. 14(2), 23-37.

F Hilferty (2008) Teacher professionalism and cultural diversity: Skills, knowledge and values for a changing Australia. 35(3), 53-70.

I Hill (2014) Internationally minded schools as cultural artefacts: Implications for school leadership. 13(3), 175-189.

Dallas Hitt, Pamela Tucker (2015) Systematic Review of Key Leader Practices Found to Influence Student Achievement. 86(2), 531-569.

Masih John, John Taylor (1999) Leadership style, school climate, and the institutional commitment of teacher. 2(1), 25.

Jenny Johnston (2015) Issues of professionalism and teachers: critical observations from research and the literature. 42(3), 299-317.

Sherif Kamel (2014) Education in the Middle East: Challenges and Opportunities. 99-130.

J Lee, K Dimmock, C (1999) Curriculum leadership and management in secondary schools: A Hong Kong case study. 19(4), 455-481.

K Leith Wood, K Seashore Louis, S Anderson, K Wahlstrom (2004) Review of research: How leadership influences student learning.

D Litz (2014) Perceptions of School Leadership in the United Arab Emirates.

Ying Liu, Cody Ding, Marvin Berkowitz, Melinda Bier (2014) A Psychometric Evaluation of a Revised School Climate Teacher Survey. 29(1), 54-67.

J Madden (2014) Raising student achievement: The work of the internationally minded teacher. 1(4), 41-51.

Steven Mancuso, Laura Roberts, George White (2010) Teacher retention in international schools: The key role of school leadership. 9(3), 306-323.

G Masters (2012) National school improvement tool.

G Masters (2014) Is school reform working?. 1, 1-75.

J Mcleod, R Reynolds (2007) Quality teaching for quality learning.

A Mcmahon (2011) Education reform: A wicked problem.

J Mills, A Bonner, K Francis (2006) The development of constructivist grounded theory. 5(1), 25-35.

William Mulford, Halia Silins, Kenneth Leithwood (2004) Educational Leadership for Organisational Learning and Improved Student Outcomes. 3.

J Murray (2012) Supporting effective teacher learning in American schools.

(2007) The school climate improvement process: Essential elements National School Climate Centre Brief.

(2006) Communicable diseases report, New South Wales, for March and April 2006. 17(6), 88.

Guðmundur Frímannsson (2012) Hannele Niemi, Auli Toom and Arto Kallioniemi (eds.), Miracle of Education. The Principles and Practices of Teaching and Learning in Finnish Schools (Rotterdam: Sense Publishers, 2012). 9(1).

G Odland, M Ruzicka (2009) An investigation into teacher turnover in International Obstacles to School Reform: Understanding School Improvement in a UAE International School.