Second chance schools: background, training and current instructional practices of teachers

2021 ◽  
Vol ahead-of-print (ahead-of-print) ◽  
Author(s):  
Óscar Espinoza ◽  
Luis Gonzalez ◽  
Noel McGinn

PurposeThe objective of the present study was to assess which teachers hired to teach secondary school dropouts are most likely to adapt their practices to match their students' characteristics. Chile recently initiated a system “second chance” schools for dropouts. Most of the teaching staff were recruited from the secondary schools from which the students had withdrawn. There was little variation in instructional practices or schedules. The second chance schools provide intensive instruction, small classes and flexibility in schedules and sequence of courses. The study sought to identify the teachers most likely to adapt old practices or learn new ones in order to provide students a different educational experience than that offered in conventional secondary schools.Design/methodology/approachThe sampling design for this study was developed by the Statistics Department of the Ministry of Education. Taking enrollment into account, they randomly selected second chance schools from 13 of Chile's 16 regions. Then, they randomly selected 617 teachers from 38 of the selected schools. The teachers were invited to respond to a self-administered survey questionnaire that covered beliefs about and attitudes toward dropouts, and frequency of use of different teaching methods. The analytical procedures used include nonparametric correlations and logit regression.FindingsTeaching methods in the second chance schools are influenced mostly by type of in-service training and not by student characteristics. Most teachers expect most students to graduate; teachers with more years of teaching are the least optimistic.Originality/valueRelatively little research on second chance schools has been published in Latin America. The Second Opportunity Schools are the first effort in Chile to provide public secondary school to dropouts. The study provides detailed information about background and training linked to current teachers' instructional practices. The findings suggest actions that can be taken to improve the new schools.

2020 ◽  
Vol 5 (1) ◽  
pp. 61-69
Author(s):  
Umar Abdullahi ◽  
Musa Sirajo

It seems that educational system in Nigeria has undergone only quantitative improvement in terms of number of schools and students’ enrolment. However, there has been little effort in respect to the capacity to manage them through provisions of adequate financial, human, material and physical resources. Physical and material resources in secondary schools were discovered to be inadequate and poorly equipped. Some of the secondary school buildings were dilapidated, also the allocated financial resource, teaching and non-teaching staff are grossly inadequate compared with the students’ enrolment. The public, the Ministry of Education and other stakeholders in education are expressing serious concern about the consistency of the poor performance of secondary school students especially in mathematics. Increase in population and the government’s free education programs make people want to take advantage of the education provided. Provision of both professionally qualified and non-qualified teachers by government and non-state providers of education also appear not to ameliorate the problem of declining performances in mathematics. The effect of all these on the public secondary school student academic performance in mathematics concern the researchers of this study. It is against this background that the study sought to empirically investigates effect of resource factors and quality of instruction on performance in mathematics of Nigeria secondary school students.


2021 ◽  
Vol ahead-of-print (ahead-of-print) ◽  
Author(s):  
Nirma Sadamali Jayawardena

PurposeThe present study is a systematic review that identifies future research avenues on culture and discipline in secondary schools in a cross-cultural context.Design/methodology/approachThe literature, as published in top management, education and psychology journals, was reviewed around culture and discipline in secondary schools. This systematic literature review (SLR) used several preferred reporting items for systematic reviews and meta-analyses (PRISMA) guidelines and categorised the studies published during the period 2014–2020.FindingsThe author identified six major themes: (1) punishment, (2) restorative practices (RPs), (3) racial disparities, (4) competitiveness, (5) school climate and (6) secondary school student discipline in a cross-cultural context. Further, the author suggested several future research avenues under these emerging themes.Research limitations/implicationsThe scope of this study is limited to culture and discipline in a secondary school context. The findings provide a solid foundation for researchers in the areas of culture and discipline in secondary schools.Originality/valueTo the best of the author's knowledge, this study can be considered as the first SLR conducted using PRISMA guidelines to identify several under-researched areas in the field of culture and discipline in secondary schools in a cross-cultural context. The study provides several future research insights.


2005 ◽  
Vol 29 (2) ◽  
pp. 93-105 ◽  
Author(s):  
Michelle Pearce ◽  
Chris Forlin

Children with disabilities are increasingly being included in mainstream classes in Australian schools. In addition, many children with disabilities who are currently enrolled in primary school will be moving to secondary school in the next few years. For secondary schools to meet this challenge, it is important that the reasons for their difficulties are understood and ways of overcoming them are explored. This paper provides a discussion of the specific challenges for secondary schools regarding inclusive education, including the school structure, teaching methods, curriculum, external exams, training and the nature of adolescence. A discussion of a broad range of issues will highlight potential solutions to common concerns in secondary schools. While the inclusion of students with disabilities in secondary schools will undoubtedly identify many challenges, it is argued that these may inspire creative solutions that will benefit all children.


2017 ◽  
Vol 62 (0) ◽  
pp. 29-55
Author(s):  
Adam Massalski

After the fall of the November Uprising, the Russian authorities liquidated the University of Warsaw. As a result, the University employees were forced to take up other occupations. Some of them went to male government secondary schools as pedagogical supervisors (principals and inspectors), or teachers. This group numbered 18 people. The functions of principals were performed by two people, the functions of inspectors – by six, the remaining ten found employment as teachers. The period of their employment in secondary education varied widely: from 1 year to over 25 years. On average it was just over nine years. Among the teachers, four taught the humanities, the others taught mathematical and natural sciences. Many members of the described community decided to continue their scientific work. Particular achievements in mathematics were held by A. Frączkiewicz, and I in the field of physics and chemistry – by J. Bełza, A. Radwański, T. Rybicki and S. Zdzitowiecki. Achievements in biological research were noted by W. B. Jastrzębowski, Sz. Pisulewski and A. Waga (interestingly, he taught Polish language and literature in secondary school). Some achievements in the field of the humanities were held by A. Kucharski and F. Kozłowski. The above-mentioned employees of the University of Warsaw significantly strengthened the teaching staff of male government secondary schools in the Kingdom of Poland between 1833 and 1862.


2017 ◽  
Vol 118 (3/4) ◽  
pp. 170-184 ◽  
Author(s):  
Rekai Zenda

Purpose The purpose of this paper is to explore teaching methods that can allow learners to be creative and proactive. The learners should be able to solve problems, make decisions, think critically, communicate ideas effectively and work efficiently. Teaching and learning are evolving and developing in many countries, with a focus concerning what is actually learned through effective teaching methods. Design/methodology/approach A qualitative research was carried out, identifying effective teaching methods and exploring their roles in teaching and learning in physical sciences in selected rural secondary schools. Face-to-face interviews with physical sciences teachers, school principals and curriculum advisers were used to collect data. Findings A range of teaching methods that may be integrated into teaching and learning activities is identified. The teaching methods ensure that topics are discussed and explored through interaction and sharing of perspective, views and values through which new learning can emerge. Viewed from this perspective, there is a need to create a stimulating, enriching, challenging and focused environment for physical sciences learners through the use of multiple teaching methodologies. Research limitations/implications The improvement of science learner’s academic achievement requires also the teachers to develop new skills and ways of teaching the subject. Improving learner academic achievement in physical sciences requires an approach to improve the skills of teachers as well, which focuses on the effective use of teaching methods such as experiments. This means attempting to change the attitude of teachers to regard the processes of teaching and learning as central to their role. In addition, the achievement of learners in science could possibly solve the problem of shortages of engineers, skilled artisans, technicians, doctors and technologists for sustainable development. It is important to create conducive conditions for learning and teaching in physical sciences, and continue to progressively and within available resources, realise that collaboration, problem-solving and hands-on activities are effective teaching methods to improve learner academic achievement. Practical implications The learners should be able to solve problems, make decisions, think critically, communicate ideas effectively and work efficiently. The study is limited to the teaching methods used in physical sciences. Hands-on activities are essential in science teaching and learning. Social implications The use of collaborations, peer teachings and hands-on activities allows learners emphasise the creation of a classroom where students are engaged in essentially open-ended, student-centred and hands-on experiments. Originality/value The paper is original work, in which face-to-face interviews were carried out. Qualitative research was carried out. The paper could assist educators in the teaching of physical sciences in secondary schools using the identified methods. The results were obtained from physical sciences educators, school principals and curriculum advisors in South Africa. Poor academic achievement in rural areas is a concern, and therefore, the paper provides effective methods which can be used by educators in the teaching of physical sciences in rural areas.


2017 ◽  
Vol 3 (2) ◽  
pp. 87-99 ◽  
Author(s):  
Katie Cremin ◽  
Olive Healy ◽  
Michael Gordon

Purpose The purpose of this paper is to explore the transition to and early experience of secondary school for students with autism from the perspective of their parents. It aimed to gather the parents’ personal accounts of their views of the transition experience for their child and of their perceptions of both the positive and the negative factors inherent in the process of transition. There was an emphasis on seeking useful information for others from the parent’s perception, views and choices. Design/methodology/approach As parents were reporting on their own perceptions and also their child’s experiences, a qualitative exploratory descriptive method was required. Thematic analysis was used as a pragmatic method to report on the experiences, meanings and the reality of the transition to secondary school from a parent’s perspective (Braun and Clarke, 2012). Findings A variety of supports and strategies were described, parents were unanimous in their emphasis of the importance of communication to them. Parents were concerned about secondary schools not fully understanding the nature of autism, and the impact this can have on their child as an individual. Despite differing perceptions and views on the purpose or end product of secondary educations for their child, all the parents communicated a desire for their child to reach their potential and make progress within the secondary school system. Research limitations/implications This was a small qualitative study with a self-selected group of parents in the Republic of Ireland, with fathers underrepresented. It did not take any account from any other stakeholders or the students themselves. Practical implications Parents would benefit from more practical support and communication during this time in the child’s education. Their recommendations and personal experiences may serve as a useful reference point for parents preparing for this time in their child’s school life. Social implications The study highlights the need to better understand how children with autism can be supported in making social attainments and connections within mainstream secondary schools in Ireland. Originality/value There is a small body of knowledge related to the secondary school experience for students with autism. It contributes the parental perspective and highlights areas for further research and practice.


2018 ◽  
Vol 9 (1) ◽  
pp. 35-46 ◽  
Author(s):  
Belle Louis Jinot

AbstractA lack of learners’ discipline is a major school problem in secondary schools in Mauritius. The study aims at determining and examining the main causes of this problem in the context of Mauritius. Qualitative data were collected from learners, educators, principals and parents of four secondary schools by using focus group interviews and individual face-to-face interviews. By using content analysis, the study revealed that the causes of learners’ lack of discipline originate from the family (the parenting style, working parents, ineffective parental discipline and the dysfunctional family), the learners’ attitudes to education and schooling, the educators’ attitudes to their role of maintaining learner discipline, the principals’ lack of authority and leadership in managing learner discipline and the influence of peer group in the school setting. The study shows that all the stakeholders of the school community are responsible for the deterioration of learner discipline in secondary schools. It recommends that there should be a decentralisation of learner discipline strategies from the Ministry of Education to the secondary school principals who should be empowered to set up their institutional school discipline plan.


Author(s):  
Sana Abdullah Hussain Abu Roman Sana Abdullah Hussain Abu Roman

    This study aimed to identify the degree of practicing servant leadership by the principals of governmental secondary school in Amman governorate and its relation to teachers' motivation towards work, from teachers’ point of view, Descriptive correlative research method as the most suitable method for this study and adopted the questionnaire as a means of collecting data both for the servant leadership or motivation. The sample of the study consisted of (347) teachers. They were chosen intentionally from governmental secondary schools in Amman. The descriptive correlational methodology was used. Two questionnaires were used as a tool of the study to collect data, after finding their validity and reliability; the findings showed that the degree of practicing servant leadership by governmental secondary school principals in Amman governorate from teachers’ point of view was low. The level of teachers' motivation towards work was low too. There was a positive significant correlational relationship at (α≤0.05) between the degree of practicing servant leadership by governmental secondary school principals in Amman governorate and teachers' motivation towards work. The Pearson value was (0.61). The main recommendations of the study: organizing training courses on servant leadership for principals of public secondary schools in Jordan., and the adoption of servant leadership in the evaluation process and the selection of school principals by the Ministry of Education.    


2004 ◽  
Author(s):  
◽  
Ajith Hariparsad

This study focuses on public relations training for secondary school principals and offers recommendations for selected secondary schools in Phoenix. Principals in most schools in South Africa have had little or no training in public relations. Since a number of tasks performed by school principals require public relation skills, it is imperative that a significant part of their in-service training should focus on aspects of the practice of public relations. This research aims to highlight the need for such training as principals interact continually with a wide variety of people, circumstances and social settings. Interaction between principals and educators, principals and learners and principals and parents may be pleasant and rewarding or frustrating and lead to conflict.


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