Helpdesk Report: What works in secondary education
This report focuses on quality of teacher training, financing, curriculum and assessment and infrastructure
Abstract
Query
Produce a report focusing on what works in secondary education, with examples from Asia and Africa.
Summary
The report focuses on four areas:
Quality (focusing on teacher training)
This section discusses topics including the relationship between student performance and teacher characteristics, such as qualifications, teaching experience, and indicators of academic ability or subject-matter knowledge. Challenges to teaching quality include an overemphasis on education studies, methodology distant from classroom realities, weak teaching practice and a tendency for teachers to teach as they were taught.
Financing the expansion of secondary education
The resources in this section discuss low rates of enrolment of pupils in secondary education; reasons why expansion of secondary education is important and the challenges to financing this expansion. Options identified for financing the expansion of secondary education include increased public financing of secondary education; the development of cost sharing mechanisms; increased private provision and cost saving reforms that reduce costs per pupil and increase efficiency.
Curriculum and assessment
The documents in this section include descriptions of a range of curricula in secondary education, their contents, structure and delivery, and descriptions of assessment strategies. The changing requirements of curricula in the context of the rapid expansion of secondary education and the changing needs of the employment sector are discussed. Critiques of current policies and practices are provided and strategies for reform are outlined.
Infrastructure
This section considers how the physical school environment has an impact on learning outcomes and overall education experience. Key issues include building design and maintenance, physical environment, overcrowding, Information Computer Technology (ICT) provision and facility provision.
Citation
Thompson, S.; Featherstone, I.; Bolton, L. Helpdesk Report: What works in secondary education. Health and Education Advice and Resource Team (HEART), Oxford, UK (2013) 30 pp.
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