This study investigated how educators experience the peer observation component of the Integrated Quality Management System (IQMS), a quality and performance management system that was introduced into South African schools in 2005. The extent to which the Integrated Quality Management System has contributed to the development of schools in their entirety has been largely unchartered. The objective of this dissertation was to investigate the perceived experiences of educators concerning the peer observation component of the Integrated Quality Management System. A qualitative research paradigm was employed in order to gather data for this study. Semi- structured interviews were conducted with educators; data collected from the interviews was compared and integrated with data collected from the documentsthat were studied. The data gathered was analyzed using the theory of collegiality in order to explore how educators experience peer observation as a component of the IQMS during its implementationas well as what impact it had on collegiality The findings revealed that teachers are given an opportunity to select their peers during peer observation implementation which, however, leads to an inconsistent and subjective allocation and rating of scores in order to get a 1% pay progression. The study found that the peer observation part of the IQMS is an effective tool for teachers‟ development as it helps them identify areas that need to be developed in order to improve on their teaching practice. The study‟s findings also revealed that if favourable conditions for peer observation are created, peer observation enhances collegiality among teachers. / Dissertation (MEd)--University of Pretoria, 2017. / Education Management and Policy Studies / MEd / Unrestricted

As an under-researched form of coordination and control, little is known of how collegiality is practiced, especially in for-profit firms. Our thesis has sought to address this research gap by interviewing professionals from two fields which are recognized as collegial, namely lawyers and architects. Our aim was to depict how for-profit firms coordinate and control using collegiality in relation to the traditional modes of governance of bureaucracy and management. We do this by utilizing the concept of institutional logics which focuses on field-level meaning systems and how actors use these systems of values, beliefs and expectations to make sense of their institutional environment. We could observe a clear coexistence of all three modes of governance. Our respondents indicated an awareness of the different logics and demonstrated an understanding of which governance mode was called for in which situation. This interplay was highly contextual and contingent on each situation's institutional demands and expectations. Collegial values were keenly advocated, yet work tasks that were legalized were also bureaucratized. The coexistence of fundamentally contradictory governance modes did not however appear to meet much internal resistance and seemed to rather function peacefully with wide employee acceptance.

This commentary describes the significance of faculty citizenship in the broader context of institutional culture and defines faculty citizenship for use across all aspects of faculty roles in the Academy. The definition includes two key components (engagement and collegiality) that can be used to measure citizenship behaviors. Continued discussion and study of faculty citizenship will further the Academy’s understanding and use of the concept.

This commentary describes the significance of faculty citizenship in the broader context of institutional culture and defines faculty citizenship for use across all aspects of faculty roles in the Academy. The definition includes two key components (engagement and collegiality) that can be used to measure citizenship behaviors. Continued discussion and study of faculty citizenship will further the Academy’s understanding and use of the concept.

This graduation thesis is focused on the issues of cooperation between teachers at the elementary school. The theoretical part is occupied with concept attributes of school like teaching organization and also is dedicated to factors which noticeably influence the cooperation of teachers in the school. The empirical part has character of more case studies which discuss the strong and weak parts of the cooperation between teachers which were researched at four elementary schools.

The thesis is focused on collaboration, cooperativeness, and mutual communication of teachers that represents one of the key pillars of the successful process of education. The cooperation of teachers is very important in the new conception of the school education program as well as in fulfilling cross-sectional topics and interdisciplinary relationships. The theoretical part describes basic terms, teacher's personality, his (her) roles and profession competencies, authorities and reputation of the teacher. The theoretical part also features information regarding collaboration of teachers in general, typical forms of the collaboration, deals with the role of school in teachers' collaboration. The aim of the empirical part is to map a topic of collaboration and cooperativeness among high school teachers. An additional aim is to analyze whether the cooperativeness and collaboration represents a benefit for high school teachers, and, eventually what might hinder such collaboration. Key words: teacher, collaboration, cooperativeness, teacher's personality, teacher's authority, teacher's competence

Quality assurance is increasingly becoming an important aspect of higher education institutions in developing countries, as expressed in the development of relevant policies, structures and systems at national and institutional levels. This thesis critically examines the nature of quality assurance policies and practices in selected universities in the Southern African Development Community (SADC), as well as the factors that shape these policies. Through a close examination of these policies and practices, the thesis explains why some universities realise better quality than others, even though they fall within the same geographical region and share relatively similar historical legacies. Although this study was largely qualitative, it did not preclude quantitative dimensions. Integrating the two approaches made it possible not only to triangulate data, but also to engage in multidimensional analysis of some of the phenomena under investigation. While debates in the literature locate quality assurance within internal and external discourses, this does not sufficiently explain the tensions that were observed amongst the various stakeholders within institutions, especially between management and academic staff. The manner in which institutional policies were developed, the role academic staff played in the process, and the reporting lines associated with institutional quality assurance arrangements, are reflected in staff perceptions on whether or not they regarded the policies as internal to the academic community and the extent to which they own the policies. The main contribution of this thesis to debates on quality assurance is its revelation of the complexities that arise in institutional policy making as a result of the highly differentiated nature of the academy. This aspect points at the need for institutions to pay particular care in adopting most appropriate strategies that privilege the organic development of policies within institutions. On the whole, institutions were mainly preoccupied with developing quality assurance policies and systems that are comparable to international standards, hence the heavy reliance on external/international expertise in doing so. Whilst this is not necessarily a iii bad thing, the quality assurance systems that were developed did not take into account the contextual peculiarities of the studied institutions. A direct consequence of this was the development of policies and mechanisms that are more concerned with standardisation of procedures than with enhancement of academic practice. Such quality assurance systems have not resulted in the self-improvement of institutions. The establishment of quality assurance policies and the putting in place of structures and procedures are necessary but not sufficient conditions for enhancing academic practice in universities.

This research is underpinned by a conceptual framework which is based upon the theory that the principal should share leadership responsibilities with educators to inspire commitment in creating a quality learning environment. The research investigates the role of the principal in creating a quality learning environment to improve school performance and the achievement of its learners. The research considered complexities surrounding educational reforms which require a collaborative approach wherein the principal invites educators to participate in a discussion on how instructional activities should be conducted in a school. When principals who are instructional leaders accept their instructional role and exercise it in collaboration with educators, they practice an integrated form of leadership. This report is relevant in the South African context because the situation in South Africa is made critical by the introduction of a new curriculum framework which requires an approach which will emphasise the principal’s interactive role with educators in the central area of curriculum, instruction and assessment. Shared instructional leadership is an inclusive concept, compatible with competent and empowered educators. Educators assume leadership responsibility when they interact with other adults in the school community around school reform efforts, encourage others to improve their professional practice, or learn together with their school colleagues (Moller & Katzenmeyer, 1996). iii A qualitative methodology was used which involved a secondary school in Gauteng.This case study was undertaken to establish the principal’s and educators’ perception of the role of the principal as an instructional leader. Although limited in its scope, the research revealed valuable information which identified contextual factors such as socio-economic, organizational climate and educator commitment which concluded that these are factors which play a significant role in creating a quality learning environment. What is needed in South Africa for a quality education to take place is an inclusive approach to leadership to promote a school climate supportive of teaching and learning. Instructional leadershipis shared, therefore, in that specific leadership functions are carried out by designated staff members working in collaboration, under the guidance and direction of the principal.

La collégialité est un mode d’organisation juridictionnel qui a su traverser différentes phases historiques. Le XXIème siècle pourrait être une époque charnière puisqu’il se caractérise par le développement des nouvelles technologies. Si de tout temps les justiciables ont souhaité obtenir une réponse rapide à leur litige, cette célérité d’accès à l’information ne fait qu’accroître leur attente. Or, la collégialité nécessite du temps. A cela s’ajoute son coût. Le droit positif témoigne une restriction d’accès à la collégialité au second degré tandis qu’elle est en discussion devant la Cour de cassation. Cette limitation n’est pas en désaccord avec la volonté de la préserver alors qu’elle ne doit pas conduire à terme à son éviction. Deux raisons justifient son maintien. La première est qu’elle renforce certaines garanties du droit à un procès équitable et ce, parfois de manière perceptible. La seconde raison tient au fait qu’elle permet de contrecarrer la complexité d’un litige comme l’illustre le renvoi d’une affaire à une collégialité. Les propositions afin de réduire ses contraintes matérielles sont multiples. Elles puisent leur inspiration dans le droit interne mais aussi externe, la collégialité n’étant pas une exception française. / Collegiality is a jurisdictional organization that has gone through different historical phases. The 21st century could be a pivotal time as it is characterized by the development of new technologies. If at all times litigants have wanted a quick response to their dispute, this speed of access to information only increases their expectations. However, collegiality requires time. To this is added its cost. Positive law testifies to a restriction of access to collegiality in the second degree while it is under discussion in the Court of Cassation. This limitation is not at odds with the desire to preserve it, although it should not ultimately lead to its removal. Two reasons justify its maintenance. The first is that it reinforces certain guarantees of the right to a fair trial, sometimes in a perceptible way. The second reason is that it makes it possible to counteract the complexity of litigation as illustrated by the referral of a case to collegiality. The proposals to reduce its material constraints are multiple. They draw their inspiration from internal but also external law, collegiality not being a French exception.

xv, 224 p. : ill. A print copy of this thesis is available through the UO Libraries. Search the library catalog for the location and call number. / Arguably, the most popular current in school reform today is around "small schools". Small schools reforms are predicated on a body of research that suggests students learn better in smaller schools--or, schools of about 400 students or less--rather than large, "comprehensive" high schools. While existing studies of these reforms highlight the benefits for students and the challenges associated with school restructuring, they avoid a frank discussion of how school change affects teachers. Further, these studies fail to address how the politics of change affect prospects for sustainable success. This project redirects the focus of school reform research back towards teachers' work and the importance of democratic teacher participation via an examination of the Oregon Small Schools Initiative, an Oregon-based small schools reform. Using original survey and interview data, I examine how the politics of reform mediate the effects of school conversion on teachers' work. My data suggest that teachers from schools that engaged in a democratic change process fared better than their peers from schools where change was implemented in a more authoritarian fashion. I found that the relationship between politics and work is largely based on that fact that, in democratic schools, teachers had more power and voice regarding school conversion, and school administrators were more likely to listen to and incorporate teachers' feedback into the restructuring process. By viewing teacher criticism as constructive input--as opposed to simply "resistance"--personnel from democratic schools were better able to decide upon a locally appropriate model of reform that fit the needs of both their teachers and students. / Committee in charge: Caleb Southworth, Chairperson, Sociology; Kenneth Liberman, Member, Sociology; Robert O Brien, Member, Sociology; K Brigid Flannery, Outside Member, Special Education and Clinical Sciences