In an attempt to improve the quality of education in basic schools of Lithuania, the Ministry of Education has prepared and is now realizing a Schools Improvement Program. (SIP) The main goal of this program is to improve 5th – 10th forms students’ achievements modernizing general education and making sure the funds for education are used in an effective and rational way. The Schools Improvement Program is being realized with the help of teachers-consultants. Their goal is to ensure the achievements and realization of the educational tasks set in the Schools Improvement Program. However, their activities and role in ensuring the spread of SIP ideas have not been investigated yet. Therefore, it is vital to find out and investigate the way consultants perform their role and functions. The goal of the investigation: to ascertain SIP consultants’ role realization in improving educational activity of basic schools. The tasks of the investigation: 1. To analyze pedagogical, psychological and managerial literature related to educational reform and schools improvement questions. 2. To discuss the peculiarities of consulting in the professional improvement system. 3. To carry out a survey of SIP 2nd round consultants and determine their role in this program. 4. To provide recommendations to school principals and teachers about educational and managerial activity improvement of basic schools, creating better studying conditions at schools, increasing studying possibilities for... [to full text]

Suaugusiųjų švietimas laikomas pagrindine sritimi įgyvendinant ES mokymosi visą gyvenimą (MVG) politiką. Grundtvig programa, Mokymosi visą gyvenimą programos sektorinė dalis, yra Europos Komisijos instrumentas, orientuotas į suaugusiųjų švietimo sektoriaus gerinimą, tačiau Grundtvig programos veiklų efektyvumas nėra nuodugniai ištyrinėtas. Šiame darbe tiriama vienos iš Grundtvig programos suaugusiųjų švietėjų profesionalizacijai skirtų veiklų - profesinio tobulinimosi kursų (IST) – mokymosi nauda asmeniniame, organizacijos, suaugusiųjų švietimo sektorių bei politiniame lygmenyje besimokančiųjų, t.y. suaugusiųjų švietėjų, vertinimu. Siekiant identifikuoti Grundtvig programos profesinio tobulinimosi kursų dalyvių mokymosi naudą ES MVG politikos kontekste, atlikta skerspjūvio tipo elektroninė apklausa 31 Europos Sąjungos šalyje. Apklausus 737 Grundtvig IST kursų dalyvius gauti rezultatai rodo, kad kursai andragogams yra naudingi kaupiant identiteto, žmogiškąjį ir socialinį kapitalą, taip pat prisideda prie jų organizacijų strategijų ir mokymo turinio tobulinimo, tarptautinio bendradarbiavimo. Mokymosi naudos mastas siekia net sektoriaus ir politinį lygmenį. Toks Grundtvig IST kursų poveikis liudija kursų naudingumą, įgyvendinant ES MVG politiką. Tai, kad mokymosi pasėkoje yra gerinama švietimo sistemų kokybė ir efektyvumas (tobulinant suaugusiųjų švietėjų kompetencijas, mokymo turinį, organizacijų strategijas), plėtojamas švietimo sistemų atvirumas, (stiprėjant tarptautiniam... [toliau žr. visą tekstą] / Adult education is considered to be the core area of the EU lifelong learning policy. Grundtvig Programme, a sectoral part of the Lifelong Learning Programme is a European Commission instrument aimed at the development of adult education sector. However, the effects of its actions haven’t been thoroughly examined. The learning benefits of Grundtvig in-service training (IST) courses are analysed in this article measuring the learning benefits at individual, organisation, sector and political level by the course beneficiaries - adult educators. A cross-sectional online survey has been conducted in 31 countries of the EU. The results show that the courses make the identity, human and social capital of the adult educators grow by strengthening the identity, self confidence and social interactions, strongly developing the professional competence and consciousness, widening the social network and inspiring to take action in individual, national or international level, yet the reported socioeconomic advantages at individual level are low. At organizational level the courses stimulate the development of curriculum, management strategies and international cooperation. Besides, one fifth of Grundtvig IST course beneficiaries report changes in adult education sector level as a result of the participation in the course and more than half of beneficiaries get involved in political processes. These effects of Grundtvig in-service training courses are in line with European strategic... [to full text]