Thesis (Ed. D.)--Illinois State University, 1996. / Title from title page screen, viewed May 23, 2006. Dissertation Committee: Jerry L. Jinks (chair), Paul J. Baker, Norman C. Bettis, Vicky Morgan. Includes bibliographical references (leaves 187-200) and abstract. Also available in print.

<p>A considerable number young of students are suffering from sociopsychological complaints. The psychological complaints emerge from differnt sources. Important factors for psychological well being are experiences of a satisfactory social network, efficient coping strategies and a supportive school climate.</p><p>The aim of this study was to examine how young girls in the age of 16-18 years old experience and cope with demands from school. To fulfill the aim of this study we have five questions: What do the girls apprehend as a satisfactory/unsatisfactory working environment? How do the girls define stress? How do the girls cope with stress? What importance has leisure time? What importance has the social network?</p><p> </p><p>The method we used for this study was qualitative and the material was collected through four focus groups. Fourteen girls were interviewed from four different school classes with different profiles. The theoretical framework used to analyze the findings consisted of the demand-control-model created by Karasek & Theorell, Antonovsky’s KASAM theory and Selyes GAS-theory.</p><p> </p><p>Stress expressed by the girls in this study is described as an unbalance between workload and available time. The analysis shows that most of the girls in the study experience school as a demanding setting that create strain. Furthermore, the results indicate that experienced demands not only originate from school but also from the girls themselves and by comparison with classmates. A satisfactory school environment is described as possibilities to influence the school work and the structrue of courses. Also a good relationship with teachers as well as classmates where pointed out as important factors. Strategies the girls use to cope with stress and demands are structuration, priority and planning. Some of the girls also think that a positive attitude towards life, regular eating and sleeping are important factors in coping with stress.</p><p>All the girls describs leisure time as significant.  Most girls practice sport activites but activities as playing instrument, watching movies and spending time with peers is also mentioned. All of the girls find their leisure time as of importance for them to relax and revive from the strain caused by school. However, some girls find it hard to fully relax during leisure activites and also think that time for leisure is too limited.</p><p>The social network is aslo seen as an important instrument in coping with strain. Most of the girls in this study do talk to family or friends in times of hardship.</p>

Thesis PlanB (M.S.)--University of Wisconsin--Stout, 2006. / Includes bibliographical references.

Thesis (Ed. D.)--University of Missouri-Columbia, 2000. / Typescript. Vita. Includes bibliographical references (leaves 110-120). Also available on the Internet.

Thesis (Ed.D.)--Duquesne University, 2009. / Title from document title page. Abstract included in electronic submission form. Includes bibliographical references (p. 109-118) and index.

Esta pesquisa teve como objetivo geral investigar a possível associação entre o desempenho motor, a orientação motivacional e a competência percebida em escolares. Mais especificamente buscou-se: verificar se crianças que apresentam dificuldades motoras em habilidades motoras fundamentais amplas também apresentam dificuldades em tarefas motoras específicas de motricidade fina e equilíbrio, bem como as diferenças de desempenho quanto ao sexo e as idades; investigar a competência percebida de escolares e as possíveis diferenças entre idade e sexo; investigar a orientação motivacional de escolares e as possíveis diferenças entre idade e sexo; e fazer uma associação entre as variáveis investigadas. A amostra total foi composta de 301 crianças de seis a 10 anos, alunos de duas escolas públicas, uma da cidade de Porto Alegre e outra da cidade de Cachoeirinha na região metropolitana. Os instrumentos utilizados para a coleta de dados foram o “Teste de desenvolvimento motor grosso – Segunda edição” (TDMG-2), validado para a população do RS (VALENTINI et al, 2008); a Movement Assessment Battery for Children (HENDERSON; SUGDEN, 1992); a “Pictorial Scale of Perceived Competence and Acceptance for Young Children” (HARTER; PIKE, 1980); a “Escala de autopercepção para crianças” validada no Brasil (VALENTINI et al, 2010) a partir da escala proposta por Harter (1985); e a A “Scale of Intrisic versus Extrinsic Orientation in Classroom” (HARTER, 1980). Os resultados indicam: (1) desempenho motor pobre e muito pobre para as habilidades de locomoção e controle de objetos; e desempenho motor típico para as tarefas específicas de destreza manual, habilidades com bola e equilíbrio; (2) meninos apresentaram desempenho superior às meninas aos 10 anos para as habilidades de controle de objetos; aos oito anos para as habilidades de locomoção; aos sete, nove e 10 anos para as tarefas de habilidades com bola; (3) meninas apresentaram desempenho superior aos meninos aos nove anos para o equilíbrio; (4) nas habilidades de locomoção as meninas apresentaram queda de desempenho dos seis aos oito anos e estabilidade posterior, e os meninos evidenciaram estabilidade de desempenho a partir dos seis anos; nas habilidades de controle de objetos e nas tarefas de habilidades com bola ambos os sexos apresentaram estabilidade de desempenho a partir dos seis anos; para as tarefas de destreza manual meninos e meninas apresentaram estabilidade de desempenho dos seis aos oito anos, queda de desempenho aos nove anos e nova estabilidade aos 10 anos; para as tarefas de equilíbrio os meninos apresentaram estabilidade de desempenho dos seis aos oito anos, queda aos nove anos e melhora de desempenho aos 10 anos, e as meninas apresentaram estabilidade de desempenho dos seis aos oito anos com queda de desempenho dos oito aos 10 anos; (5) crianças que apresentaram dificuldades motoras nas habilidades motoras fundamentais amplas também apresentaram dificuldades nas tarefas específicas de motricidade fina e equilíbrio; (6) níveis moderados de competência percebida em todos os domínios investigados; (7) meninos se percebem mais competentes no domínio atlético e meninas na conduta comportamental; (8) crianças de menor idade se percebem mais competentes que crianças com idade mais avançada; (9) motivação intrínseca moderada em todas as dimensões investigadas; (10) semelhança na orientação motivacional entre meninos e meninas e também nas idades investigadas; (11) associação positiva e significativa entre a competência percebida e o desempenho motor; (12) associação positiva e significativa entre a competência percebida e a motivação intrínseca; e por fim, (13) falta de associação significativa entre a orientação motivacional e o desempenho motor. Conclui-se que as crianças em geral não estão apresentando desempenho motor adequado para a idade, e que perceber-se competente está associado à motivação de crianças para a prática e os melhores desempenhos em termos motores. / This research aimed to investigate the perception of competence, motivational orientation and motor performance in children from public schools. More specifically we sought: check if children who have motor difficulties in gross motor skills fundamental also present difficulties in motor tasks specific to fine motor skills and balance, as well as the differences in performance on the sex and ages; investigate the perceived competence of students, and the possible differences between age and sex; investigate the motivational orientation to school and the possible differences between age and sex; and make an association between the variables investigated. The total sample consisted of 301 children from six to 10 years old, attending two public schools, one in the city of Porto Alegre and other in the city Cachoeirinha in the metropolitan area. The instruments used for data collection were the "Test of gross motor development - Second Edition" (TDMG-2), validated for the population of RS (VALENTINI et al, 2008), the Movement Assessment Battery for Children (Henderson; Sugden , 1992), the "Pictorial Scale of Perceived Competence and Acceptance for Young Children" (Harter, PIKE, 1980), the "self-perception scale for children" validated in Brazil (VALENTINI et al, 2010) from the scale proposed by Harter (1985), and A "Scale of intrinsic versus Extrinsic Orientation in Classroom" (Harter, 1980). The results indicate: (1) motor performance poor and very poor for the abilities of locomotion and control of objects; and motor performance typical for the specific tasks of manual dexterity, abilities with the ball and balance; (2) boys had superior performance than girls at 10 years old for the abilities of control of objects; at eight years old for the abilities of locomotion; at seven, nine and 10 years old for the tasks of abilities with the ball; (3) girls had higher performance for the balance than the boys at nine years old; (4) in the abilities of locomotion girls had drop in performance from six to eight years old and stability later, and the boys showed stability of performance from six years old on; in the abilities of control of objects and in the tasks of abilities with the ball both sexes presented stability of performance from six years old; for the tasks of manual dexterity boys and girls had stability of performance from six to eight years old, drop in performance at nine years old and new stability at 10 years old; for the tasks of balance the boys had stability of performance from six to eight years old, drop at nine years old and improves performance at 10 years old, and the girls had stability of performance from six to eight years old with drop in performance from eight to 10 years; (5) children who had motor difficulties in gross motor skills fundamental also had difficulties in specific tasks of fine motor skills and balance; (6) moderate levels of perceived competence in all areas investigated; (7) boys realize that they are more competent in the athletic field and girls in behavioral conduct; (8) younger children perceive themselves more competent than children with more advanced age; (9) intrinsic motivation moderate in all dimensions investigated; (10) similarity in motivational orientation between boys and girls and also in the ages investigated; (11) positive and significant association between the perceived competence and motor performance; (12) positive and significant association between the perceived competence and intrinsic motivation; and finally, (13) lack of a significant association between motivational orientation and the motor performance.

Submitted by Hebe Jesus (hebedejesus@yahoo.com.br) on 2016-03-15T23:02:43Z No. of bitstreams: 1 Projeto Intervenção.pdf: 1494871 bytes, checksum: 387e1c59afaee15058a5a2633f663ddf (MD5) / Approved for entry into archive by Maria Auxiliadora da Silva Lopes (silopes@ufba.br) on 2016-04-05T15:31:55Z (GMT) No. of bitstreams: 1 Projeto Intervenção.pdf: 1494871 bytes, checksum: 387e1c59afaee15058a5a2633f663ddf (MD5) / Made available in DSpace on 2016-04-05T15:31:55Z (GMT). No. of bitstreams: 1 Projeto Intervenção.pdf: 1494871 bytes, checksum: 387e1c59afaee15058a5a2633f663ddf (MD5) / Este estudo versa sobre o planejamento das ações pedagógicas para fomentar como os espaços escolares podem se tornar espaços aprendentes, na escola José Francisco Nunes, povoado de Itapicuru, Município de Irecê- Bahia. O estudo foi desenvolvido durante doze meses e teve como objetivo investigar como os professores percebem os espaços da escola, e a relação que fazem com o planejamento das ações pedagógicas. Para a realização da investigação foi criada uma região de inquérito no sentido de apreender o fenômeno, o qual foi abordado, em termos metodológicos, por meio de observações, conversas com professores – que envolveram entrevistas e relatos de memória – e mais duas atividades coletivas que receberam o nome de Instalação e Desconferência do/no Cotidiano Escolar com o objetivo de levantar, junto a professores das redes municipais do território de Irecê, elementos que pudessem alimentar as interpretações e ação posterior sobre o tema em estudo. O trabalho permeia pela abordagem qualitativa, com fundamentos na fenomenologia. Com o projeto de intervenção, que é o produto desta pesquisa de mestrado profissional deseja-se proporcionar condições para que os profissionais da escola percebam que mesmo diante de muitos desafios é possível transformar os espaços da escola, com a soma dos conhecimentos individuais e coletivos para intervir de forma que possam (re)interpretar, (re)criar, (re)inventar, inovar os espaços da escola, amenizando a fragmentação do currículo escolar e possibilitar aprendizagens por meio da articulação de saberes e espaços que se pretende sejam espaços aprendentes. / ABSTRACT This study deals with the planning of educational activities to foster such as school spaces can become spaces learners at school José Francisco Nunes, populated by Itapicuru, Municipality of Irecê- Bahia. The study was conducted for twelve months and aimed to investigate how teachers perceive the school spaces, and the relationship that make the planning of educational activities. To carry out the investigation an inquiry region was created in order to grasp the phenomenon, which was addressed in methodological terms, through observations, conversations with teachers - involving interviews and memory reports - and two more collective activities received the installation name and the unconference / in Everyday School in order to raise, with teachers of municipal networks in the territory of Irecê, elements that could feed the interpretations and subsequent action on the subject under study. The work permeates the qualitative approach, with fundamentals in phenomenology. With the intervention project, which is the product of professional master's research is desired to provide conditions for school professionals realize that even in the face of many challenges you can turn the school space, with the sum of individual and collective knowledge to intervene so that they can (re) interpret, (re) create, (re) invent, innovate school spaces, softening the fragmentation of the curriculum and enable learning through the articulation of knowledge and spaces intended to be learners spaces.

Esta pesquisa teve como objetivo geral investigar a possível associação entre o desempenho motor, a orientação motivacional e a competência percebida em escolares. Mais especificamente buscou-se: verificar se crianças que apresentam dificuldades motoras em habilidades motoras fundamentais amplas também apresentam dificuldades em tarefas motoras específicas de motricidade fina e equilíbrio, bem como as diferenças de desempenho quanto ao sexo e as idades; investigar a competência percebida de escolares e as possíveis diferenças entre idade e sexo; investigar a orientação motivacional de escolares e as possíveis diferenças entre idade e sexo; e fazer uma associação entre as variáveis investigadas. A amostra total foi composta de 301 crianças de seis a 10 anos, alunos de duas escolas públicas, uma da cidade de Porto Alegre e outra da cidade de Cachoeirinha na região metropolitana. Os instrumentos utilizados para a coleta de dados foram o “Teste de desenvolvimento motor grosso – Segunda edição” (TDMG-2), validado para a população do RS (VALENTINI et al, 2008); a Movement Assessment Battery for Children (HENDERSON; SUGDEN, 1992); a “Pictorial Scale of Perceived Competence and Acceptance for Young Children” (HARTER; PIKE, 1980); a “Escala de autopercepção para crianças” validada no Brasil (VALENTINI et al, 2010) a partir da escala proposta por Harter (1985); e a A “Scale of Intrisic versus Extrinsic Orientation in Classroom” (HARTER, 1980). Os resultados indicam: (1) desempenho motor pobre e muito pobre para as habilidades de locomoção e controle de objetos; e desempenho motor típico para as tarefas específicas de destreza manual, habilidades com bola e equilíbrio; (2) meninos apresentaram desempenho superior às meninas aos 10 anos para as habilidades de controle de objetos; aos oito anos para as habilidades de locomoção; aos sete, nove e 10 anos para as tarefas de habilidades com bola; (3) meninas apresentaram desempenho superior aos meninos aos nove anos para o equilíbrio; (4) nas habilidades de locomoção as meninas apresentaram queda de desempenho dos seis aos oito anos e estabilidade posterior, e os meninos evidenciaram estabilidade de desempenho a partir dos seis anos; nas habilidades de controle de objetos e nas tarefas de habilidades com bola ambos os sexos apresentaram estabilidade de desempenho a partir dos seis anos; para as tarefas de destreza manual meninos e meninas apresentaram estabilidade de desempenho dos seis aos oito anos, queda de desempenho aos nove anos e nova estabilidade aos 10 anos; para as tarefas de equilíbrio os meninos apresentaram estabilidade de desempenho dos seis aos oito anos, queda aos nove anos e melhora de desempenho aos 10 anos, e as meninas apresentaram estabilidade de desempenho dos seis aos oito anos com queda de desempenho dos oito aos 10 anos; (5) crianças que apresentaram dificuldades motoras nas habilidades motoras fundamentais amplas também apresentaram dificuldades nas tarefas específicas de motricidade fina e equilíbrio; (6) níveis moderados de competência percebida em todos os domínios investigados; (7) meninos se percebem mais competentes no domínio atlético e meninas na conduta comportamental; (8) crianças de menor idade se percebem mais competentes que crianças com idade mais avançada; (9) motivação intrínseca moderada em todas as dimensões investigadas; (10) semelhança na orientação motivacional entre meninos e meninas e também nas idades investigadas; (11) associação positiva e significativa entre a competência percebida e o desempenho motor; (12) associação positiva e significativa entre a competência percebida e a motivação intrínseca; e por fim, (13) falta de associação significativa entre a orientação motivacional e o desempenho motor. Conclui-se que as crianças em geral não estão apresentando desempenho motor adequado para a idade, e que perceber-se competente está associado à motivação de crianças para a prática e os melhores desempenhos em termos motores. / This research aimed to investigate the perception of competence, motivational orientation and motor performance in children from public schools. More specifically we sought: check if children who have motor difficulties in gross motor skills fundamental also present difficulties in motor tasks specific to fine motor skills and balance, as well as the differences in performance on the sex and ages; investigate the perceived competence of students, and the possible differences between age and sex; investigate the motivational orientation to school and the possible differences between age and sex; and make an association between the variables investigated. The total sample consisted of 301 children from six to 10 years old, attending two public schools, one in the city of Porto Alegre and other in the city Cachoeirinha in the metropolitan area. The instruments used for data collection were the "Test of gross motor development - Second Edition" (TDMG-2), validated for the population of RS (VALENTINI et al, 2008), the Movement Assessment Battery for Children (Henderson; Sugden , 1992), the "Pictorial Scale of Perceived Competence and Acceptance for Young Children" (Harter, PIKE, 1980), the "self-perception scale for children" validated in Brazil (VALENTINI et al, 2010) from the scale proposed by Harter (1985), and A "Scale of intrinsic versus Extrinsic Orientation in Classroom" (Harter, 1980). The results indicate: (1) motor performance poor and very poor for the abilities of locomotion and control of objects; and motor performance typical for the specific tasks of manual dexterity, abilities with the ball and balance; (2) boys had superior performance than girls at 10 years old for the abilities of control of objects; at eight years old for the abilities of locomotion; at seven, nine and 10 years old for the tasks of abilities with the ball; (3) girls had higher performance for the balance than the boys at nine years old; (4) in the abilities of locomotion girls had drop in performance from six to eight years old and stability later, and the boys showed stability of performance from six years old on; in the abilities of control of objects and in the tasks of abilities with the ball both sexes presented stability of performance from six years old; for the tasks of manual dexterity boys and girls had stability of performance from six to eight years old, drop in performance at nine years old and new stability at 10 years old; for the tasks of balance the boys had stability of performance from six to eight years old, drop at nine years old and improves performance at 10 years old, and the girls had stability of performance from six to eight years old with drop in performance from eight to 10 years; (5) children who had motor difficulties in gross motor skills fundamental also had difficulties in specific tasks of fine motor skills and balance; (6) moderate levels of perceived competence in all areas investigated; (7) boys realize that they are more competent in the athletic field and girls in behavioral conduct; (8) younger children perceive themselves more competent than children with more advanced age; (9) intrinsic motivation moderate in all dimensions investigated; (10) similarity in motivational orientation between boys and girls and also in the ages investigated; (11) positive and significant association between the perceived competence and motor performance; (12) positive and significant association between the perceived competence and intrinsic motivation; and finally, (13) lack of a significant association between motivational orientation and the motor performance.

Esta pesquisa teve como objetivo geral investigar a possível associação entre o desempenho motor, a orientação motivacional e a competência percebida em escolares. Mais especificamente buscou-se: verificar se crianças que apresentam dificuldades motoras em habilidades motoras fundamentais amplas também apresentam dificuldades em tarefas motoras específicas de motricidade fina e equilíbrio, bem como as diferenças de desempenho quanto ao sexo e as idades; investigar a competência percebida de escolares e as possíveis diferenças entre idade e sexo; investigar a orientação motivacional de escolares e as possíveis diferenças entre idade e sexo; e fazer uma associação entre as variáveis investigadas. A amostra total foi composta de 301 crianças de seis a 10 anos, alunos de duas escolas públicas, uma da cidade de Porto Alegre e outra da cidade de Cachoeirinha na região metropolitana. Os instrumentos utilizados para a coleta de dados foram o “Teste de desenvolvimento motor grosso – Segunda edição” (TDMG-2), validado para a população do RS (VALENTINI et al, 2008); a Movement Assessment Battery for Children (HENDERSON; SUGDEN, 1992); a “Pictorial Scale of Perceived Competence and Acceptance for Young Children” (HARTER; PIKE, 1980); a “Escala de autopercepção para crianças” validada no Brasil (VALENTINI et al, 2010) a partir da escala proposta por Harter (1985); e a A “Scale of Intrisic versus Extrinsic Orientation in Classroom” (HARTER, 1980). Os resultados indicam: (1) desempenho motor pobre e muito pobre para as habilidades de locomoção e controle de objetos; e desempenho motor típico para as tarefas específicas de destreza manual, habilidades com bola e equilíbrio; (2) meninos apresentaram desempenho superior às meninas aos 10 anos para as habilidades de controle de objetos; aos oito anos para as habilidades de locomoção; aos sete, nove e 10 anos para as tarefas de habilidades com bola; (3) meninas apresentaram desempenho superior aos meninos aos nove anos para o equilíbrio; (4) nas habilidades de locomoção as meninas apresentaram queda de desempenho dos seis aos oito anos e estabilidade posterior, e os meninos evidenciaram estabilidade de desempenho a partir dos seis anos; nas habilidades de controle de objetos e nas tarefas de habilidades com bola ambos os sexos apresentaram estabilidade de desempenho a partir dos seis anos; para as tarefas de destreza manual meninos e meninas apresentaram estabilidade de desempenho dos seis aos oito anos, queda de desempenho aos nove anos e nova estabilidade aos 10 anos; para as tarefas de equilíbrio os meninos apresentaram estabilidade de desempenho dos seis aos oito anos, queda aos nove anos e melhora de desempenho aos 10 anos, e as meninas apresentaram estabilidade de desempenho dos seis aos oito anos com queda de desempenho dos oito aos 10 anos; (5) crianças que apresentaram dificuldades motoras nas habilidades motoras fundamentais amplas também apresentaram dificuldades nas tarefas específicas de motricidade fina e equilíbrio; (6) níveis moderados de competência percebida em todos os domínios investigados; (7) meninos se percebem mais competentes no domínio atlético e meninas na conduta comportamental; (8) crianças de menor idade se percebem mais competentes que crianças com idade mais avançada; (9) motivação intrínseca moderada em todas as dimensões investigadas; (10) semelhança na orientação motivacional entre meninos e meninas e também nas idades investigadas; (11) associação positiva e significativa entre a competência percebida e o desempenho motor; (12) associação positiva e significativa entre a competência percebida e a motivação intrínseca; e por fim, (13) falta de associação significativa entre a orientação motivacional e o desempenho motor. Conclui-se que as crianças em geral não estão apresentando desempenho motor adequado para a idade, e que perceber-se competente está associado à motivação de crianças para a prática e os melhores desempenhos em termos motores. / This research aimed to investigate the perception of competence, motivational orientation and motor performance in children from public schools. More specifically we sought: check if children who have motor difficulties in gross motor skills fundamental also present difficulties in motor tasks specific to fine motor skills and balance, as well as the differences in performance on the sex and ages; investigate the perceived competence of students, and the possible differences between age and sex; investigate the motivational orientation to school and the possible differences between age and sex; and make an association between the variables investigated. The total sample consisted of 301 children from six to 10 years old, attending two public schools, one in the city of Porto Alegre and other in the city Cachoeirinha in the metropolitan area. The instruments used for data collection were the "Test of gross motor development - Second Edition" (TDMG-2), validated for the population of RS (VALENTINI et al, 2008), the Movement Assessment Battery for Children (Henderson; Sugden , 1992), the "Pictorial Scale of Perceived Competence and Acceptance for Young Children" (Harter, PIKE, 1980), the "self-perception scale for children" validated in Brazil (VALENTINI et al, 2010) from the scale proposed by Harter (1985), and A "Scale of intrinsic versus Extrinsic Orientation in Classroom" (Harter, 1980). The results indicate: (1) motor performance poor and very poor for the abilities of locomotion and control of objects; and motor performance typical for the specific tasks of manual dexterity, abilities with the ball and balance; (2) boys had superior performance than girls at 10 years old for the abilities of control of objects; at eight years old for the abilities of locomotion; at seven, nine and 10 years old for the tasks of abilities with the ball; (3) girls had higher performance for the balance than the boys at nine years old; (4) in the abilities of locomotion girls had drop in performance from six to eight years old and stability later, and the boys showed stability of performance from six years old on; in the abilities of control of objects and in the tasks of abilities with the ball both sexes presented stability of performance from six years old; for the tasks of manual dexterity boys and girls had stability of performance from six to eight years old, drop in performance at nine years old and new stability at 10 years old; for the tasks of balance the boys had stability of performance from six to eight years old, drop at nine years old and improves performance at 10 years old, and the girls had stability of performance from six to eight years old with drop in performance from eight to 10 years; (5) children who had motor difficulties in gross motor skills fundamental also had difficulties in specific tasks of fine motor skills and balance; (6) moderate levels of perceived competence in all areas investigated; (7) boys realize that they are more competent in the athletic field and girls in behavioral conduct; (8) younger children perceive themselves more competent than children with more advanced age; (9) intrinsic motivation moderate in all dimensions investigated; (10) similarity in motivational orientation between boys and girls and also in the ages investigated; (11) positive and significant association between the perceived competence and motor performance; (12) positive and significant association between the perceived competence and intrinsic motivation; and finally, (13) lack of a significant association between motivational orientation and the motor performance.

M.Ed. / This report provides the results of a social scientific research on the assessment of the management of school environments and its implications for the Whole School Evaluation (WSE). Through a qualitative research design that used photos and field notes, the researcher personally collected data from 21 Qwaqwa schools. Maximum variation- and theoretical purposive sampling techniques were used for data collection. With maximum validity and reliability, the research results showed that Qwaqwa schoolyards are big and that the school land is not effectively utilised. Although there is currently no policy that perfectly assesses the management of school environments (except the WSE), the results showed that Qwaqwa schools freely use their own individual creative strategies for the management of their environments. The results revealed that schools consist of two kinds of environments, namely, natural and other manmade physical environments. The research results provided evidence that the schools can manage their natural environments through grass, trees, gardens and school parks. The results also revealed that manmade aspects of school environments can be best managed through rockeries, sport fields, paving, parking areas, general maintenance of buildings and symbols such as the school flag, the national flag of South Africa and plaques. The results further revealed that there are various forms of waste and refuse in schools and that littering was still a problem. However, the findings revealed that certain schools used rubbish bins to address the problem. The researcher thus recommends that these creative strategies be recognised and added to WSE criteria for effective school environment management. / Prof. K.C. Moloi