multigrade rural schools intervention

Multigrade RuralSchools

Intervention

Multigrade RuralSchools

Intervention

Ten years ago participants of the World Conference on

Education recognised that

more than 100 million children had no access to primary education

more than 100 million children failed to complete basic education programmes

millions more satisfied the attendance requirements but did not acquire essential knowledge and skills during programmes

Research shows that the performance levels in literacy and numeracy of children in these schools are at least a good two years behind their counterparts in developed countries

Rural Schools in South Africa

We find the same situation in our own rural schools where low numbers force educators to teach more than one grade in a single class (ie multigrade teaching)

However, because South African teachers have never been trained for a multigrade system, they still teach these classes as if the learners were all in a single grade.

Rural Schools in South Africa

To enable generations to break out of the recurring cycle of unskilled labour and resultant poverty State education must deliver learners who are able to read, write and who are numerate

International research identifies six key variables for successful teaching in rural multigrade schools:

1. Classroom organisation2. Classroom management

and discipline3. Instructional organisation

and curriculum4. Instruction delivery and

grouping5. Self directed learning6. Peer tutoring

A National Priority Educational problems in rural schools are a

national priority - our president has emphasised

the need for effective, coherent strategies

Our Intervention rests within broader strategies

addressing the problems experienced by rural

communities

The Western Cape Education Department has

approved a plan to eliminate these appalling

conditions - The Multigrade Rural Schools

Intervention

1 Corporate Plan 2000-2004: Rural Programme 2: School Effectiveness & Educator Professionalism

Project 2: Status & Quality of Teaching2 Implementation Plan: Consolidating & Enhancing Education

Initiatives in Rural Areas of South Africa. Directly linked to 4 Tirisano priorities

NATIONAL DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION

President Mbeki: INTEGRATED SUSTAINABLE RURAL

DEVELOPMENT STRATEGY

NATIONAL GOVERNMENT

MULTIGRADE RURAL SCHOOLS PROJECTDirectly linked to Corporate Plan & Implementation Plan of NDoE

WESTERN CAPE EDUCATION DEPARTMENT

The Intervention within the nation & province

Teachers are trained to efficiently manage and organise their

multigrade classrooms

Relevant learning programmes and resources are developed and

made available to schools

Teachers in these schools are trained to use, develop and apply

such learning programmes optimally with the support of

Information and Communication Technologies

EMDC officials are trained to provide ongoing support to such

teachers

The quality of teaching in mullti-grade schools will improve

Learner participants and performance in reading, writing and

mental mathematics will improve

The Multigrade Rural Schools Intervention

IF

THEN

Extent of the Intervention

EMDC Schools Teachers Learners

Overberg 132 355 8713

SC & Karoo

105 265 8005

WC & Winelands

87 250 8494

Total 352 876 25437

Professional development of teachers

Strategy

1 Theory at residential inservice training

2 Demonstration and practical application by peers

3 Classroom support by key teachers

4 Online support by multifunctional teams

5 Online communication, support and curriculum delivery using ICTs

6 Life-long learning and accreditation

R E S E A R C H

Course Content

Literacy focussing on reading and writing

Classroom organisation and management

Numeracy focussing on mental maths

ICT skills and online support strategies

Demonstration Viewing and discussing a series of videos to

visually demonstrate the course content

Live demonstrations and discussions with peers

Coaching and practicising of relevant skills and knowledge to build teaching expertise

Planning of lessons and learning resources

Presenting demonstration lessons to learners

Reflection

Key Teachers Select and train experienced multigrade teachers

Key teachers support classroom teachers for one week in the classroom to apply the content and strategies they’ve been taught

Provide an unthreatening, supportive learning environment for teachers

Multifunctional Teams Comprised of circuit manager, SLES,

and teacher co-ordinator Identify problems

and successes

Support classroom teachers

Supply resources and advice

Record and report on activities

WCEDProject Office

Cluster management Cluster

management

WellingtonHead office + EMDCs

Clusters of rural schools

Communications and materials delivery


WCEDProject Office

Cluster management

Cluster management

Email

WCEDProject Office

Online learning community

Cluster management

Cluster management

Website Email


WCEDProject Office

Online learning community

Cluster management

Cluster management

Website Email

Fileservers + databases for

delivery + monitoring

Learning supportTechnical support


Ongoing communication and materials delivery 2004

Website

Fileserver + database for

delivery + monitoring

Learning supportTechnical support

EMDCEMDC

EMDC

Clusters

HO

Using Information and Communication Technologies

Customised software for teachers

Computer literacy training and skills

Online mentoring and facilitation

Teacher Training

Face to face training:Curriculum Development and IT Unit: Computer literacy focusing on basic computer skills including email, web browsing and use of document browser

Online training:SchoolNet SA: Specialised multigrade module focusing on online communication, accessing curriculum and resources via the web

CD Rom and print resources

Multifunctional Team Training

Face to face training:Project Team: Introductory course on cluster management, accessing and delivering curriculum and resources via the web

Online mentoring and facilitation course:SchoolNet SA:Specialised multigrade module focusing on online communication and community building, peer support,

CD Rom and print resources

Life-long Learning and Accreditation

Accredited training modules – NQF

Certification of teachers by tertiary institutions

Developing further study opportunities and courses in multigrade teaching

Promotion and career opportunities in multigrade education

Recognising the value of multigrade education - a teachers story…

INTERVENTION TIMELINES DEMONSTRATION PILOT IMPLEMENTATION

2002 Pre-Jun Jul Aug Sept Oct Nov Dec 2003 Term 1 Term 2 Term 3 Term 4

WCED plan, co-ordinate, MM training, resources, videos, demonstrate

DEMONSTRATION schools Training, resource development

Pilot schools

Pilot multifunctional teams

Key Teachers

Training

2002 Pre-Jun Jul Aug Sept Oct Nov Dec 2003 Term 1 Term 2 Term 3 Term 4

Preparation,

school

visits

First implementation

Second implementation

Third implementation

Fourth implementation

Steering Committee

Executive Committee

Literacy task team

Multifunctional teams/ school training teams

Video committee

ICT committee

Curriculum com

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Mental Maths task team

P

P

P

P

P

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Planning Implementation P

Assessment com

Evaluators

WCED Head Office Chief Director: Regional Services (Rural)

Chief Director: Education Planning

Director: Communication

Director: Curriculum Development

Director: Human resources

Director: Education Research

Director: Specialised Education Support Services

Director: Media Services

Manager: Khanya Project

Curriculum Planners

WCED Rural EMDCs

Director: Westcoast/Winelands EMDC

Director: Breede River/Overberg EMDC

Director: South Cape/Karoo EMDC

Chief Curriculum Advisers

Curriculum Advisers

Media Advisers

Principals and teachers

PAWC

Schools IT Unit IT Advisers

Edumedia Video production

unit Print unit DTP Unit

Project Office Project manager Operations

manager Administration

External Evaluators

Expansion of the Intervention

1st implementation: Aug - Dec 2002

2nd implementation: Nov 2002 – Mar 2003

3rd implementation: Mar 2003 – June 2003

4th implementation: Jun – Sep 2003

5th implementation: Sep – Dec 2003

6th implementation: Nov 2003 – Mar 2004

7th implementation: Mar – June 2004

8th implementation: Jun – Sep 2004 Multigrade school clusters9th implementation: Sep - Dec 2004

Testing components

pre and post tests of basic skills

standardised tests

external project evaluation

Aligning the Intervention life cycle with appropriate evaluation

activities Intervention Life Cycle

Evaluation Activities

Conceptualisation and design of Intervention Programme

Evaluability Assessment

Standard version of

Intervention implemented

at scale

Programme Monitoring

[Evaluation of delivery and

proper implementation

Intervention outcomes/

benefits

Outcome Evaluation /

Impact Assessment / Cost-Benefit

Analyses

Pilot version of

Intervention implemented

[Partial coverage of

target group]

Interactive process

evaluation [Formative purpose]

The essential focus of the Multigrade Intervention…

multigrade rural schools intervention

Documents