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ZENEX ACE: SCHOOL LEADERSHIP RESEARCH: INTERIM FINDINGS

ZENEX ACE: SCHOOL LEADERSHIP RESEARCH: INTERIM FINDINGS. TONY BUSH, NTOMBOZUKO DUKU, EDITH KIGGUNDU, SORAYA KOLA, VUYISILE MSILA AND PONTSO MOOROSI. Introduction. SA is one of many countries seeking to improve school leadership effectiveness

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ZENEX ACE: SCHOOL LEADERSHIP RESEARCH: INTERIM FINDINGS

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  1. ZENEX ACE: SCHOOL LEADERSHIP RESEARCH: INTERIM FINDINGS TONY BUSH, NTOMBOZUKO DUKU, EDITH KIGGUNDU, SORAYA KOLA, VUYISILE MSILA AND PONTSO MOOROSI

  2. Introduction • SA is one of many countries seeking to improve school leadership effectiveness • A national ACE qualification for aspiring principals is being piloted: 2007-2010 • This two-year programme includes lectures, mentoring, networking, and site-based assessment • The national ACE is delivered by universities • The ACE may become mandatory for new principals

  3. Zenex ACE Research The research, funded by Zenex and the DoE, is a longitudinal study of the first ACE cohort: • Literature review • Documentary analysis of ACE materials • Baseline study (survey, interviews, case studies) • Mid-term evaluation (interviews, case studies) • Impact study (survey, interviews, case studies)

  4. ACE Rationale and Overview • Many courses make little impact on school leadership and management practice • This ACE is intended to be different • The modules represent the ‘content’ while mentoring & networks are ‘process’ • Portfolios and site-based assessment are radical features of the programme • The pilot materials have some strengths but also significant limitations

  5. Progress report • Baseline study completed in August 2007 • First interim report: November 2007 • DA recommendations informed a review of the materials, leading to revisions • Mid-term evaluation completed: draft report ready • Minister to decide whether the ACE should be mandatory for newly appointed principals • Impact study scheduled for Nov. 2008-May 2009

  6. Baseline study – key findings • Context affects learner outcomes and poverty, unemployment, HIV/AIDS, and teenage pregnancy are serious problems • Most participants are highly motivated • 43% of survey respondents point to problems – SMT, SGB and/or community. • Most lecturers and mentors are highly motivated and confident about ‘readiness’.

  7. Mid-term evaluation – Findings 1 • Contact sessions involve large groups with limited interaction – knowledge ‘delivery’. • Smaller group sessions used to promote participation, but with mixed results. • Materials are too long, ‘too dense’ and with inappropriate content (MGSLG different). • Mentors are usually experienced former principals but may not ‘match’ with mentees. • Mentoring often with groups, not one-to-one.

  8. Mid-term evaluation – Findings 2 • Networking not well developed – meet rarely and focus on preparing assignments • Assessment includes assignments, a site-based research project and a portfolio. • The ACE is ‘over-assessed’ and feedback is slow, limited and not developmental. • Candidates focus on assessment, not on improving management practice and learner outcomes.

  9. Mid-term evaluation – Findings 3 • Candidates claim improved management practice but only limited evidence of this • Lecturers value the ‘unique experience’ of the ACE • Candidates want shorter modules, fewer assignments, more feedback and more mentoring • Almost all lecturers, mentors and candidates support mandatory status for the ACE

  10. Interim Recommendations 1 • Teaching should be in smaller groups. • Group sessions should focus on learning, not administration. • The materials should be shorter, more practice-based and relevant to SA schools. • Mentoring should be more individual and be reshaped to avoid a ‘dependency’ model.

  11. Interim Recommendations 2 • Sustainable networking requires the active support of provinces and districts. • Assessment should be reduced and be supported by timely, formative feedback. • The ACE should be made mandatory but: • Other qualifications need consideration. • Support from principals is essential.

  12. Conclusion • The research is incomplete so all comments are provisional. • The challenge of developing a successful national programme is enormous. • Successful schools require trained principals but the ACE is not a panacea and cannot deal with all the social and educational problems facing SA. • Thanks to ZENEX, the DoE, the five universities and the ACE candidates for their support.

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