Orientador: Pedro Ganzeli / Tese (doutorado) - Universidade Estadual de Campinas, Faculdade de Educação / Made available in DSpace on 2018-08-19T11:58:48Z (GMT). No. of bitstreams: 1 Vaccari_AnaBeatrisLia_D.pdf: 2190734 bytes, checksum: 5c014d7e2382074845e47847c4e2c848 (MD5) Previous issue date: 2011 / Resumo: Esta pesquisa teve como objetivo analisar as coerências, divergências e inconsistências que marcaram as diretrizes programáticas e as ações das secretarias municipais da educação no governo do Partido dos Trabalhadores nas cidades de Araraquara e São Carlos, localizadas no Estado de São Paulo, no período de 2001 a 2008. A influência política sobre a prática social da educação e a dimensão política da educação representou a espinha dorsal desta pesquisa. A educação analisada, tomando-se por base um programa partidário, se respaldou na concepção de que os partidos políticos são o lócus da democracia, ou seja, neles os sujeitos transitam e interagem, construindo idéias que determinam os destinos dos municípios, dos estados e do país. Buscamos compreender o processo de implementação do programa de governo para a educação do Partido dos Trabalhadores em duas realidades distintas, verificando suas similaridades e suas diferenças. A pesquisa se propôs a responder a seguinte questão central: seria possível verificarmos a existência de um modo petista de governar a educação nas experiências educacionais em foco? Buscamos analisar a relação entre as diretrizes para educação do Partido dos Trabalhadores, a saber: democratização do acesso e garantia de permanência; democratização da gestão e a construção da qualidade social da educação e a implementação das ações das secretarias de educação. Utilizamos como procedimentos de pesquisa a análise documental, confrontando as diretrizes partidárias com as ações (leis municipais, resoluções, projetos, programas) das gestões petistas na educação municipal e entrevistas com as secretárias municipais de educação de cada governo (2001-2004 e 2005-2008), com objetivo de verificar a coerência das suas ações tomando-se por base a legislação produzida, os programas e projetos implantados. Nossa análise indica que as ações pautaram-se nos princípios do programa partidário, porém sofreram alterações no decorrer do processo, gerando contradições na política educacional dos municípios pesquisados. / Abstract: The aim of this research was to analyze the coherences, divergences and inconsistencies that characterized the program guidelines and the actions of municipal education offices during the Partido dos Trabalhadores' government in the cities of Araraquara and São Carlos, São Paulo state, in the period of 2001 to 2008. The political influence on the social practice of education and the political dimension of education were the backbone of this research. The education activities that were considered, from the point of view of a political party program, were endorsed on the assumption that political parties are the locus of democracy, that is, the citizens transit and interact through them, building ideas that will determine the fate of the cities, of the states and of the country. We have sought to understand how was the process of implementing the government's education program of the Partido dos Trabalhadores from the perspective of two distinct realities, verifying their similarities and their differences. Our research was proposed to answer the following central question: would it be possible to verify the existence of a Partido dos Trabalhadores' style of governing education over the educational experiences we have focused on? We analyzed the relationship among the educational guidelines of the Partido dos Trabalhadores, more specifically: access democratization and permanence guarantee; administration democratization; the construction of the social quality of education; and the actions implemented by the education offices. Interviews were conducted with the municipal education offices of each government (2001-2004 and 2005-2008) in order to verify the coherence of their actions considering the legislation that was produced, the programs, and the projects that were implemented. Our analysis indicates that the actions relied on the principles of the party program; however, they changed along the process, creating contradictions in the educational policy of the municipalities. / Doutorado / Politicas de Educação e Sistemas Educativos / Doutor em Educação

The Case Study of the Developmental Appraisal System (DAS) is the main focus of this research inquiry. DAS is an instrument for teacher professional development aimed at enhancing the competency of teachers and accordingly, the quality of education. In the context of this exploratory study, informed by concerns about teacher learning, I sought to gain insight into how the implementation of government policy on teacher appraisal influences the way teachers strive to learn and change their practices. Therefore, the purpose of this study was to trace the implementation of government policy on teacher development in different contexts and to determine the extent to which DAS policy influenced teacher learning in these diverse contexts. The research inquiry is guided by one main research question: · What are the effects of developmental appraisal policy on teacher learning as seen through the eyes of teachers working in different resource contexts? In tracing the effects of DAS Policy, I focused on policy breakdown by looking at the views of implementers, i.e., educators at the level of the school. The study also explains how teachers understand the policy, which helped to lay the empirical foundation for exploring teacher learning. The investigation draws on recent work on what is called “teacher learning” for the conceptual focus. The framework provided a descriptive function that helped to assign content to the new concept on “teacher learning” in education research. It also presented an empirical function and exploratory purpose that assisted in exploring the effects of DAS Policy on the teacher learning. In seeking responses to the main research question, I conducted qualitative cases of 12 teachers who have been involved in the various phases of DAS. Teachers were selected from different resource contexts and sampled on the basis of their different profiles. I used teacher testimonies composed qualitatively through multiple methods of data collection, viz. biographical data, free writing schedule, semi-structured interviews, critical incident reports and teacher diaries. From the data generated, the following are the main findings of the study: · Teachers find the developmental promises of DAS to be unpersuasive because of its identification with the previous inspection system, and because of teachers’ identification with more powerful sources of learning. · The failure of the policy to give recognition in practice to the diverse contexts within which teachers work had a negative effect on teacher learning. · Teacher learning is an extremely complex process, and to pin down its critical features is very difficult in a developing country context. · Teachers found it difficult to ascribe “learning” to their DAS experiences given the largely negative experiences of the policy implementation process. · Context contributed to the disjuncture between understanding and practice in terms of teacher development and in particular to teacher learning. Finally, given the importance of teacher professional development in the reform process there is need for further research on how to effectively promote teacher learning. In addition, in considering the implications that diverse work contexts have for teacher learning in developing countries, policymakers can aim at effective programmes that will strengthen teacher learning. Therefore, research needs to address the link between teacher learning and diverse work contexts in different ways. / Thesis (PhD (Education Management and Policy Studies)--University of Pretoria, 2006. / Education Management and Policy Studies / unrestricted

EXPLORATION OF THE EXPERIENCES OF CHILD CARE WORKERS AS EDUCATORS IN A PLACE OF SAFETY SUMMARY OF THE STUDY: This study aims to explore and describe the experiences of child care workers in their role as educators at a place of safety, in order to gain a better understanding of what they see as their educational task and the difficulties they experience in executing this task. The literature review provides a survey of the purpose of a place of safety, what education of children entails and the specific needs of children who experience trauma in their lives. Some of the factors that influence the way the care workers execute their task as educators, are discussed briefly. This qualitative case study is approached from the interpretative paradigm. Child care workers were engaged in individual interviews and a focus group discussion. The data-analysis leads to the following conclusions: • Although child care workers show understanding for the needs of the children in their care. And have a basic understanding of what education entails, aspects were identified in which they need training and support. • Child care workers show symptoms of burnout and reveal the need for supervision. • The way the institution is managed leaves child care workers dissatisfied, which leads to feelings of passivity, negativity, demotivation and a vengeful attitude. / Dissertation (Magister Educationis (Educational Psychology))--University of Pretoria, 2006. / Educational Psychology / unrestricted

Thesis ((LLD.) -- University of Limpopo, 2021 / The delivery of substandard education to the leaners in South African schools has become a pressing concern and needs special attention. This is so despite the advent of democracy in 1994, which brought legislative frameworks and other measures promoting access to quality education. This study seeks to highlight the importance of a radical paradigm shift in educational approach, from a single (access) to a dual system (access and delivery) in South Africa. The study examines adequacy of access to education, by evaluating the effectiveness of delivery. The study emphasizes that delivery should be strengthened in order to develop skills and capacity. The study also accentuates the need to strengthen legislative measures and compliance, in order to improve the delivery of quality education to the leaners. The domestic laws such as the Constitution of the Republic of South Africa, Skills Development Act, the South African Schools Act, Further Education and Training Act and the Continuing Education and Training Act, which all cover access and full delivery of quality education, will be examined. It is pertinent to point out that the delivery of quality education and skills development, can improve the employability of leaners and graduates, wherever they find themselves. Consequently, it is fundamentally important to increase interest in strengthening the implementation of the skills development legislation and policies, to drive the necessary change from access to delivery, in order to meet the developmental needs of the country. Lessons are drawn from China, Finland and Singapore, where policies and laws are utilized for the purpose of comparative studies. The rationale for such a comparative analysis is premised on the fact that these countries have very strong educational systems, which promotes the employability of learners, and also enables learners to become self-reliant and entrepreneurs.

The principles of Total Quality Management (TQM) have been used in the business, commercial and industrial sectors to improve both product and service. In a limited number of schools worldwide, there have been attempts to adapt TQM theory and practice to the educational management of institutions. In this thesis there has been an attempt to adapt the TQM philosophy to the field of educational practice. Quality tools and techniques used in TQM organisations have been studied to ascertain their applicability in schools. During the course of the study, the researcher discerned the need to give TQM a distinct identity within the domain of educational management. In the management of schools, there are philosophies and practices which are different from those encountered in noneducational settings. The concept Total Quality Education (TQE) was used to acknowledge this reality. Action research was done over a three-year period at a South African co-educational public primary school. During the four research cycles of looking, thinking and acting, TQE principles were implemented in the school. Stakeholders such as parents, learners and teachers identified areas for improvement of the quality of education. Areas identified included the curriculum, physical resources, extramural activities, staff development, learning and financial management of the school. Quality tools and techniques were applied by all stakeholders to effect the desired improvements. In the fourth and last cycle of the research a questionnaire was given to a sample of the parent community. Progress made in the improvement of the quality of education provided was noted and areas to be improved further were identified. The researcher submits that TQE can be meaningfully applied in South African schools. The various stakeholders can make contributions to the betterment of schools. Through the application of the principles of the TQE philosophy, it is possible to transform South African schools into institutions where all learners can experience education of true quality. / Educational Leadership and Management / D. Ed. (Educational Management)

This sequential explorative mixed methods study aims to explore how selfassessment strategies can be used to enhance quality education in schools in the Zambezi region of Namibia. The researcher posits that teachers are key in enhancing quality education if accorded appropriate recourses to innovate and explore the use of self-assessment strategies in schools. A pragmatic research approach was used to guide this sequential explorative mixed methods study. The study sought participants’ perceptions on four sub-problems of the study: What entails quality and quality education? How can self-assessment strategies be linked to quality and quality education in general terms? What recourses are available to ensure that quality education is realised by the use of self-assessment strategies in the Zambezi region? How can self-assessment strategy models be developed to enhance the quality of education in the Zambezi region? Purposefully sampled school principals and heads of departments of five combined schools participated in the study. During the first phase, face-to-face interviews were conducted with the five participating school principals while the HoDs were engaged in a focus group interview. The qualitative data was later used to inform the design of the second phase of the study (quantitative). In the second phase, fifty-four teachers completed Likert-scale questionnaires which were analysed using IBM SPSS.19 and Microsoft Excel to compare with the qualitative data. This study revealed that schools have common understandings of quality and quality education albeit defined differently. The study also revealed that external professional support is inadequate to support teachers in continuous professional development activities. Furthermore, the study showed that the available recourses are seldom utilised to enhance quality education in schools. Finally, the study revealed that the use of one type of teacher self-evaluation (TSE) deprives innovative teachers from initiating and exploring other viable self-assessment strategies. Therefore, this study propagates the use of alternative self-assessment strategies that can contribute towards the enhancement of quality education in schools in the Zambezi region of Namibia. / Educational Leadership and Management / D. Ed.

The principles of Total Quality Management (TQM) have been used in the business, commercial and industrial sectors to improve both product and service. In a limited number of schools worldwide, there have been attempts to adapt TQM theory and practice to the educational management of institutions. In this thesis there has been an attempt to adapt the TQM philosophy to the field of educational practice. Quality tools and techniques used in TQM organisations have been studied to ascertain their applicability in schools. During the course of the study, the researcher discerned the need to give TQM a distinct identity within the domain of educational management. In the management of schools, there are philosophies and practices which are different from those encountered in noneducational settings. The concept Total Quality Education (TQE) was used to acknowledge this reality. Action research was done over a three-year period at a South African co-educational public primary school. During the four research cycles of looking, thinking and acting, TQE principles were implemented in the school. Stakeholders such as parents, learners and teachers identified areas for improvement of the quality of education. Areas identified included the curriculum, physical resources, extramural activities, staff development, learning and financial management of the school. Quality tools and techniques were applied by all stakeholders to effect the desired improvements. In the fourth and last cycle of the research a questionnaire was given to a sample of the parent community. Progress made in the improvement of the quality of education provided was noted and areas to be improved further were identified. The researcher submits that TQE can be meaningfully applied in South African schools. The various stakeholders can make contributions to the betterment of schools. Through the application of the principles of the TQE philosophy, it is possible to transform South African schools into institutions where all learners can experience education of true quality. / Educational Leadership and Management / D. Ed. (Educational Management)

This research investigated the instructional leadership role of the school principal in the improvement of the quality of education. A qualitative method, using a case study, was employed. A literature study was conducted to explore the nature and scope of instructional leadership and quality. A purposefully selected sample from five secondary schools in the Potchefstroom area in the North West Province was used to collect data. The method entailed observation, interviews and document analysis. The principals and educators were asked to fill in biographical questionnaires. Findings indicated that principals could improve the quality of teaching and learning through their instructional activities. These included, amongst others, formulating a clear vision; participatory decision making; resource provision; good time management and educators’ development programmes. In-service training was recommended to help the principals and educators with the new curriculum; the funding model; IQMS and discipline. Newly appointed principals also needed to be adequately inducted. / Teacher Education / M.Ed. (Educational Management)

This study investigated human resource challenges besetting school managers in Vryheid district in Zululand region in KwaZulu-Natal: an educational management perspective. The target population consisted of school managers in the service of KwaZulu-Natal Province, Zululand Region in Vryheid district in the Department of Education. For educators to perform satisfactorily, their skills, abilities and motives to perform duties must match their job requirements. Managers must recruit and select qualified and dedicated staff members for the effectiveness of the school depends on the effectiveness of the staff. The challenges of school managers are to attract, recruit, retain, motivate and develop the staff. They should not unfairly discriminate directly or indirectly against anyone. They have to redress the past imbalances when appointing the staff. They work under stressful conditions with different types of people, all with their own beliefs, values, cultures and work ethics. Educators with best results are promoted to senior positions where they are sometimes not utilised. Learners are becoming more uncontrollable, rude, violent and undisciplined. some are promoted and others. Endless strikes, turnover, absenteeism, redeployment, late coming, over-crowded classrooms, many changes, poor performance; hostility is very common in schools. The growing numbers of educators, who die, retire, promoted and resigning each year, resulting in the shortage of experienced educators to substitute them. The lack of reliable resources or help within the Department of Education. . A qualitative explanatory and descriptive approach has been adopted in the present research to investigate school managers’ challenges. The research findings of the investigation confirmed that numerous challenges exist in schools and that school managers require training and intervention strategies to help them cope with the changes in the education system in South Africa. The limitations and recommendations were discussed. / Educational Studies / D. Ed. (Education Management)

The research undertaken involves a quasi-experimental approach in determining the impact of the Competency and Placement (CAP) test in the Further Education and Training (FET) colleges. The evaluation became necessary because poor learner performance within the National Certification Vocational (NCV) programme has persisted amid the implementation of a country-wide roll-out of the CAP test; and a recapitalisation injection of R1.9m. Learner performance data relating to the NCV programme and CAP was obtained in order to undertake an accurate analysis of the poor performance within the FET college sector. In addition to the above, qualitative data was obtained through semi-structured interviews with CAP participating colleges in the country. Recommendations included the restructuring of the NCV programme; the introduction of an alternative learner placement methodology that was in line with international best practices; and improving quality assurance aspects pertaining to the capacity at colleges to deliver the NCV programme effectively. / Human Resources Development / M. Tech. (Human Resource Development)