Syftet med den här magisteruppsatsen är att få en bild av hur skolledare och lärare ser på kommunikationsformen medarbetarsamtalet, kopplat till skolutveckling, i den svenska gymnasieskolan. Uppsatsen följer en fenomenologisk forskningsansats, i vilken en etnografisk modell med åtta kvalitativa intervjuer av tre skolledare och fem lärare på två gymnasieskolor setts som en fallstudie. Materialet har analyserats med hjälp av en narrativ metod och kritisk diskursanalys (CDA) och resultatet visar att skolledare och lärare talar om skolutveckling på disparata sätt i medarbetarsamtalet men också att förberedelser och feedback på medarbetarsamtalet skiljer sig åt och upplevelsen av medarbetarsamtalet är därför att det inte påverkar skolutvecklingen på de två gymnasieskolorna. / The purpose of this essay is to get a picture of how school principals and teachers look upon the particular communication that is known as discussions about personal development and the connection with school development at upper secondary school in Sweden. The essay follows a phenomenological research concept, in which eight qualitative research interviews within an ethnographical model have been obtained with three school principals and five teachers, as a case study. The data has been analyzed by a narrative method and Critical Discourse Analysis (CDA) and shows that school principals and teachers talk about school development in different ways in their discussions about personal development, but also that preparations and feedback on the discussions differ. Discussions about personal development therefore have no impact on school development, according to the participants in this study.

This study investigates how high school teachers perceive their possibilities and motivation to participate in professional development as part of school development. This is because previous research shows that teachers’ work situation is tied to contextual factors that determine possibility and motivation, such as work environment, workload, government control and autonomy. The study looks at how the teachers try to define school development and what factors they perceive to affect or determine their possibility and motivation to take part in professional development thorough the method of focus groups. Three focus groups from three different private high schools in the center of a big urban area in Sweden have been performed and analyzed through motivational theory, specifically two-factor theory. The study shows that the teachers say that they perceive so-called hygiene factors relating to leadership, organizational factors such as scheduled time for planning, autonomy as well as their interests and keen, role models and subject relevance the most important factors that determine possibility and motivation for their professional development. These results coincide with previous international research about teacher’s professional development. The study concludes that teachers have strong perceptions of the factors that affects their possibilities and motivation to school development, which principals and other actors in the chain of governance could use to create successful school development. / Denna studie undersöker hur gymnasielärare uppfattar sina möjligheter och motivation till att delta i yrkesutveckling genom skolutveckling. Detta eftersom tidigare forskning uppger att lärares arbetssituation kopplat till kontextuella faktorer påverkar möjlighet och motivation, såsom exempelvis arbetsmiljö, arbetsbelastning, institutionell styrning och autonomi. Med hjälp av fokusgrupper som metod undersöks hur gymnasielärare försöker definierar skolutveckling och berättar om vilka faktorer som de upplever påverkar sina möjligheter och motivation till att delta i skolutvecklingsarbete. Tre fokusgrupper från tre olika centralt placerade friskolor i en svensk storstad genomfördes och analyserades genom motivationsteori, specifikt tvåfaktorteori. Studien visar att lärarna uppger att de viktigaste faktorerna som möjliggör och motiverar lärares deltagande i skolutveckling är så kallade hygienfaktorer relaterade till ledarskap, arbetsförhållanden såsom tid för planering, autonomi men även intresse, förebilder och ämnesrelevans; vilket sammanfaller med tidigare internationell forskning om lärares yrkesutveckling. Studien konkluderar att lärare har tydliga uppfattningar om vilka faktorer som påverkar deras möjligheter och motivation till skolutvecklingsarbete, vilken skolledare och andra deltagare i skolans styrkedja skulle kunna använda sig av för att genomföra framgångsrika skolutvecklingssatsningar.

Truancy is one of the problems that exist in schools and affect learners' performance. The aim of the current study was to determine how truancy manifests and also to explore the life world of truants in secondary schools. From the literature review, the two types of truancy, namely blanket truancy and post-registration truancy were described. Various programmes and approaches used in truancy intervention were explored. An empirical investigation was undertaken with a sample of 758 Grade 10 learners from three secondary schools. The results indicated that significantly more males than females engaged in truancy. There is also a significant dependency between learning problems and truancy. The results of the study were analysed and recommendations for intervention and for further study were made. / Educational Studies / M.Ed. (Guidance and Counseling)

The purpose of this study was to explore the promotion of safe schools in the Eastern Cape according to a Whole School Development Approach. A literature study investigated the factors contributing to violence in schools in the Eastern Cape as well as South Africa, the strategies that can be used to involve all stakeholders in education to combat school violence and the strategies to promote safe schools through Whole School Development Approach. An empirical investigation following a qualitative approach was used to explore the views of learners, educators, principals and teachers of two secondary schools in the Eastern Cape. Data was gathered by observation, interviews, analysis of written documents and analysis was according to qualitative procedures. Findings showed a prevalence of violence in the schools as a result of non-application of the Whole School Development Approach. The implications of the findings of both literature and the empirical investigation are discussed and certain guidelines are provided to assist all stakeholders in education on the promotion of safe schools through the Whole School Development Approach. / Educational Studies / M. Ed. (Education Management)

The thesis is concerned with the application of Feuerstein's theory of mediated learning experience to teaching in the first year of primary school. It summarises basic information about Feuerstein's work, the theories of mediated learning experience and structural cognitive modifiability. It also deals with the application of mediated learning experience to teaching in the first year of primary school. In this respect, it characterises the period of early school age and the role of the teacher. The central theme of the work, the theory of mediated learning experience, is an approach targeted at the process and structure of thought. The application of this theory is aimed at the individual's general cognitive development, especially the development of the thinking process. The principal goal of the thesis is to introduce the possibilities of applying the theory of mediated learning to teaching in school and thus contribute to the spread of this methodology only recently introduced to the Czech Republic, which can be considered a helpful and meaningful way to enrich teaching and support the children's cognitive development.

The purpose of this study was to explore the promotion of safe schools in the Eastern Cape according to a Whole School Development Approach. A literature study investigated the factors contributing to violence in schools in the Eastern Cape as well as South Africa, the strategies that can be used to involve all stakeholders in education to combat school violence and the strategies to promote safe schools through Whole School Development Approach. An empirical investigation following a qualitative approach was used to explore the views of learners, educators, principals and teachers of two secondary schools in the Eastern Cape. Data was gathered by observation, interviews, analysis of written documents and analysis was according to qualitative procedures. Findings showed a prevalence of violence in the schools as a result of non-application of the Whole School Development Approach. The implications of the findings of both literature and the empirical investigation are discussed and certain guidelines are provided to assist all stakeholders in education on the promotion of safe schools through the Whole School Development Approach. / Educational Studies / M. Ed. (Education Management)

This dissertation examines the relationship between PDE-School and the evolution of the Index of Basic Education Development (IDEB) in Maceió, in the years 2007 to 2011 The IDEB was instituted as an index that measures the quality of Brazilian education, and PDE-school constitutes a management strategic planning process, aimed at providing financial support school units, and is coordinated by the school's leadership and developed in a participatory manner by the school community, with the goal of improving the management of the school improve the quality of education it offers and ensure greater efficiency and effectiveness in the processes it develops. In this research, we sought to answer the following question: schools that are receiving PDE-School feature are raising your IDEB? Thus, the work was characterized by a qualitative approach, with the object of study of the evolution of the relationship IDEB with PDE-School. The methodology used to collect data was the analysis of bibliographic and documentary analysis. Systematization of data as a parameter had drawn up by the MEC / INEP, among them, laws, decrees, orders, manuals, reports and plans. The organization of the study was structured into four sections: the first deals with the State Reform and its impact on Brazilian Educational Policy, in 1990; the second, the issue of quality in education policy in Brazil; the third addresses the PDE-School and IDEB: concepts and implementation in the school context, and the fourth section discusses the Education Policy in Maceio elements for analysis of PDE-School and IDEB. This work shows to be relevant to the area of policy and management education, the extent of explicit contradictions own educational policy and quality of education within the school units. The results demonstrated that it can not join the rising IDEB Public Schools Maceió, in the years 2007-2011, the receipt and application of resources of the PDE-School. / A presente dissertação analisa a relação entre o PDE-Escola e a evolução do Índice de Desenvolvimento da Educação Básica (IDEB) em Maceió, nos anos de 2007 a 2011. O IDEB foi instituído como um índice que mede a qualidade da educação brasileira, e o PDE-Escola se constitui em um processo gerencial de planejamento estratégico, que visa dar suporte financeiro as unidades escolares, e é coordenado pela liderança da escola e desenvolvido, de maneira participativa, pela comunidade escolar, com o objetivo de aprimorar a gestão da escola, melhorar a qualidade do ensino que oferece e garantir maior eficiência e eficácia nos processos que desenvolve. Nesta pesquisa, buscou-se responder a seguinte questão: as escolas que estão recebendo o recurso PDE-Escola estão elevando o seu IDEB? Assim, o trabalho caracterizou-se por uma pesquisa de abordagem qualitativa, tendo como objeto de estudo a relação da evolução do IDEB com o PDE-Escola. A metodologia utilizada para a coleta de dados foi a de análise de bibliografias e análise documental. As sistematizações dos dados tiveram como parâmetro os documentos elaborados pelo MEC/INEP, dentre eles, leis, decretos, portarias, manuais, relatórios e planos. A organização do estudo foi estruturada em quatro seções: a primeira trata da Reforma do Estado e seus impactos na Política Educacional Brasileira, nos anos de 1990; a segunda, a questão da qualidade nas Políticas Educacionais no Brasil; a terceira aborda o PDE-Escola e o IDEB: concepções e implantação no contexto escolar, e a quarta sessão trata da Política Educacional em Maceió: elementos para análise do PDE-Escola e do IDEB. Esse trabalho mostra-se relevante para a área da política e gestão da educação, na medida em explicita contradições da própria política educacional e qualidade da educação no âmbito das unidades escolares. Os resultados demonstraram que não se pode associar a elevação do IDEB das escolas públicas de Maceió, nos anos de 2007 a 2011, ao recebimento e aplicação dos recursos do PDE-Escola.

Truancy is one of the problems that exist in schools and affect learners' performance. The aim of the current study was to determine how truancy manifests and also to explore the life world of truants in secondary schools. From the literature review, the two types of truancy, namely blanket truancy and post-registration truancy were described. Various programmes and approaches used in truancy intervention were explored. An empirical investigation was undertaken with a sample of 758 Grade 10 learners from three secondary schools. The results indicated that significantly more males than females engaged in truancy. There is also a significant dependency between learning problems and truancy. The results of the study were analysed and recommendations for intervention and for further study were made. / Educational Studies / M.Ed. (Guidance and Counseling)

The purpose of this study was to explore the perceptions of principals and school board members (SBMs) regarding their working relationship in the Zambezi region of Namibia. Not much research about this area has been conducted in the Zambezi region and Namibia at large. The reviewed literature posits that principals play a major role in creating effective working relationships with SBMs. It also argues that positive working relationships between principals and SBMs are at the heart of making a school extraordinary. This working relationship can be fruitful if there is a closer understanding of the roles and responsibilities between the principals and SBMs. Three leadership theories that seemed to suit the study were analyzed and discussed. The transformational leadership, partnership and Dewey’s theory of democracy in education were relevant to this study. The three leadership theories guided the study in exploring the perceptions of principals and SBMs regarding their working relationships in the Zambezi region. They also guided the study to clarify the challenges that contributed to the lack of trusting working relationships between principals and SBMs in the Zambezi region in Namibia. The study is located in the interpretive paradigm, where a qualitative case study approach to the research problem was employed. For the purpose of the study, the researcher selected six schools, two primary schools, two combined and two senior secondary schools, as sites to explore the research problem. It is important to mention that the findings of the study cannot be generalized to all school boards in Namibia, since the research was limited to six schools in the Zambezi region only. The researcher summarized the findings of the study according to the four research questions. The findings derived from this study revealed that the majority of principals and SBMs perceived their working relationship as collegial. However, the study also revealed that some SBMs did not have a good working relationship with the principals. SBMs were not aware of how the finances of the school were utilized. Furthermore, they accused principals of not being transparent when it came to staff appointments. The findings from this study also revealed that, when there was a good working relationship between principals and SBMs at the school, it became easier to maintain discipline among learners and that learners performed better. There needs to be good communication between principals and SBMs, as principals and SBMs are important partners when it comes to the smooth running of a school. There were consultations between principals and SBMs on matters regarding school development. It was, furthermore, learnt that, where there were consultations between principals and SBMs, unity and trust were developed. The Ministry of Education, Arts and Culture (2001:15; 2016:2) in Namibia clearly points out that “For every state school, a school board must be established to administer the school affairs and promote the development of the school and learners of the school” and to “ensure the school is effective in its teaching and learning programme”. However, the study revealed that principals and SBMs were not working in accordance with the Education Act, Act 16 of 2001. SBMs lost interest in participating in school activities. It became evident that SBMs did not seem to be attending school board meetings when invited and rendered many excuses. It emerged from the findings that parent SBMs wanted to be given sitting allowances when attending school board meetings. The findings from the study indicate that there should be good communication between principals and SBMs. Regular school board meetings could help build a good working relationship between principals and SBMs. School board training should be organized for principals and SBMs. To mitigate the challenges faced by principals and SBMs regarding their working relationship in the Zambezi region of Namibia, recommendations associated with understanding of and adherence to policies, working together, communication, trust and fear among SBMs, are that all schools should have scheduled school board meetings that are communicated very early to everyone concerned and SBMs should be given sitting allowances. The researcher recommends that principals and SBMs receive compulsory and appropriate training that will help them to understand and perform their roles and responsibilities well. Where necessary, school board trainers should use a vernacular language (or seek the services of an interpreter) so that parent SBMs who are not fluently bilingual can understand and grasp all essential concepts of the training programme. In addition, the researcher recommends that community members, who are educated and knowledgeable but do not have children at the school, should be co-opted to serve on the school board. There should be clear policies and processes regarding the recruitment of staff who works at the school. The researcher posits that effective communication can be enhanced by employing vernacular languages in meetings to ensure that parent SBMs understand all the proceedings and are involved. It is advisable for the principal and other SBMs to communicate effectively, keep to what they say and always follow through with tangible actions. To reduce fear demonstrated by Learners’ Representative Council (LRCs) serving on the school board during meetings, it is advisable to give appropriate training so that they can gain a better understanding of their roles and responsibilities. In order for principals to work in harmony with SBMs, it is essential to have well-defined roles, as well as to treat everyone fairly and respectfully. / Educational Management and Leadership / D. Ed. (Education Management)

Syftet är att bidra med kunskap om lärarnas upplevelse av sin planeringstid och sin arbetssituation. Det innefattar de strategier som lärarna kommer använda sig av när rektorn styr planeringstiden och hur styrningen uppfattas. Studien ställer frågor som rör lärarnas hantering av frirum och korstryck.  Tidigare forskning visar att planeringstid prioriteras bort vilket får konsekvenser för lärarna. Möjligheten att utnyttja frirummet mellan yttre och inre styrning bör utvecklas för att ge lärarna kontroll i sin profession. Rektor anger hur frirummet utnyttjas vilket inverkar på lärarnas hantering av planeringstiden.  Denna kvalitativa studie använder frirumsteorin som teoretisk utgångspunkt och analysverktyg. Frirumsteorin utgår från förhållandet mellan inre och yttre styrning. Empiriskt material har hämtats från intervjuer med föreställningskarta. Analysen gjordes utifrån fyra nyckelord med tabellmetoden och från kriterierna styrning av och styrning i skolan. Resultatet visar att rektorns styrning ger lärarna arbetsvillkoren som höjer eller hindrar lärarens möjligheter att kunna utföra professionen. I frirummet ges lärarna möjlighet att arbeta i balans mellan styrningsformerna. När lärarna arbetar i läraryrket som profession och har daglig tid för samtal upplevs kontroll. En slutsats är att när rektorn tillåter lärarna att utnyttja frirummet och vara i sin profession upplevs inget korstryck. Lärarna upplever att de kontrollerar sin planeringstid. Studien uppmärksammar inre och yttre styrning, frirum och korstryck som  vetenskapligt och teoretiskt förankrade i frirumsteorin. Lärarnas upplevelse av och strategier för sin planeringstid samt rektorns styrning analyseras utifrån dessa styrningsformer. / The purpose of this thesis is to add knowledge about the teachers' experience of their planning time and work situation. What strategies will teachers use when the principal controls the planning time and how the steering is perceived? The study investigates how teachers handle free space and cross pressure. Previous research reveals how planning time is deprioritized away, which leads to consequences for teachers. The teacher´s possibility to use the free space should be developed to provide control for the teachers. The principal sets the framework for how the free space can be used and decides how teachers manage their planning time. Free space theory is the theoretical starting point and analysis tool for this qualitative study. The theory of scope for action theory is based on the relationship between internal and external control. The empirical material was gathered from interviews with the performance map. The analysis was based on four keywords using the table method and from the forms of governance in schools. The results show that the principal's governance gives teachers working conditions that raise or hinder the teacher's ability to perform their profession. In the free space, teachers must be given the opportunity to work in a balance between the forms of governance. When teachers work in the teaching profession as profession and have daily time for conversations between teachers, they experience a sense of perceived control. One conclusion is that when the principal allows teachers to gain advantage of the free space and be in their profession, there is no cross pressure. Teachers feel in control of their planning time.  The study draws attention to internal and external control that is scientifically and theoretically anchored in the scope for action theory. The teachers' experience and strategies for their planning time and the principal's governance were analyzed based on these forms of governance.