ISSN: 2226-6348
Open access
This study was conducted to find the consensus about areas of school improvement (SI) from the perspectives of 21 key educational stakeholders consisted of education policymakers, theoretical experts, community leaders and parents. The study mainly adopted a quantitative approach through e-Delphi study by the use of surveys and questionnaires. Three rounds of e-Delphi study were conducted to identify areas of SI involving 21 panellist of experts. The tool used to collect data during e-Delphi was a four-point Likert scale (1=Strongly Agree, 2=Agree, 3=Disagree, 4= Strongly Disagree). This study considered 90% of the percentage agreement among the experts as the value to define consensus. Questionnaires were developed based on the experts’ suggestions as an instrument for a survey to four strata of respondents; lecturers at MOE, chairmen of PTA, officers at District Education Office and headmasters. A three-point Likert scale (Excellent, Moderate and Need Improvement) was used for this survey. The findings revealed nine areas of SI as agreed by the experts which were; Leadership and Management, Teacher Professional Development, School Culture, Student Learning Outcome, Instruction, Community Involvement, ICT in education, Curriculum and Support for Learning. The results of the study showed that there were eight items across six areas of SI that needed to be improved; Teachers’ welfare, Leadership innovation, Pre-training before appointment of school leaders, Races unity, Student’s learning potential, ICT literacy among school leaders, ICT literacy among teachers and Unity/National integration. It is expected that the findings of this study would offer valuable implications for researchers, policy makers and practitioners.
Ahmad, H. (2012). Mission of public education in Malaysia?: The challenge of transformation. University of Malaya Press.
Australian Council for Educational Research. (2013). Partnering for school improvement: Case studies of school-community partnership in Australia.
Baars, S., Bernardes, E., Elwick, A., Malortie, A., McAleavy, T., McInerney, L., Menzies, L., & Riggall, A. (2014). Lessons from London schools: Investigating the success.
Barber, M., & Mourshed, M. (2007). How the world’s best-performing school systems come out on top. In McKinsey and Company. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10833-008-9075-9
Bryk, A. S. (2010). Organizing schools for improvement. Phi Delta Kappan, 91(7), 23–30. http://intl.kappanmagazine.org/content/91/7/23.short
Bryk, A. S., Sebring, P. B., Allensworth, E., Luppescu, S., & Easton, J. Q. (2010). Organizing Schools for Improvement: Lessons from Chicago. University of Chicago Press. https://doi.org/10.1017/CBO9781107415324.004
Bubb, S., & Earley, P. (2009). Leading staff development for school improvement. School Leadership & Management, 29(1), 23–37.
https://doi.org/10.1080/13632430802646370
Chapman, D. W., & Mählck, L. O. (2004). Adapting technology for school improvement: A global perspective. In International Institute for Educational Planning (Vol. 14, Issue 3). https://doi.org/10.1080/14759390500200237
Cheng, Y.C. (2001). Education reforms in the Asia-Pacific region: Trends, challenges, and research. International Conference on Educational Research.
http://link.springer.com/chapter/10.1007/1-4020-3620-5_8
Delors, J. (1996). Learning: The treasure within. In UNESCO (Vol. 42, Issue 2). https://doi.org/10.1086/447500
Department of Prime Minister. (2015). GTP Annual Report 2014.
Dimmock, C. (2016). System leadership for school improvement: A developing concept and set of practices. Scottish Educational Review, 48(2), 60–79.
Duffield, C. (1993). The Delphi technique: a comparison of results obtained using two expert panels. International Journal of Nursing Studies. https://doi.org/10.1016/0020-7489(93)90033-Q
Economic Planning Unit Prime Minister’s Department and United Nations Country Team Malaysia. (2011). Malaysia: The Millennium Development Goals at 2010.
Education Improvement Commisison. (2000). School improvement planning: A handbook for principals, teachers and school councils.
Elfert, M. (2015). UNESCO, the Faure Report, the Delors Report, and the Political Utopia of lifelong learning. European Journal of Education, 50(1), 88–100.
https://doi.org/10.1111/ejed.12104
Epstein, J. L., Sanders, M. G., Simon, B. S., Salinas, K. C., Jansorn, N. R., & Van Voorhis, F. L. (2002). School, family and community partnerships: Your handbook for action (2nd ed.). Corwin Press.
Faubert, B. (2012). A literature review of school practices to overcome school failure. OECD Education Working Papers No 68, 68. https://doi.org/10.1787/5k9flcwwv9tk-en
French, W. L., & Bell, C. (1999). Organization development: Behavioral science interventions for organization improvement (6th ed.). Prentice Hall.
Fullan, M. (2011). All systems go: The change imperative for whole system reform. In Corwin and The Ontario Principals’ Council. Corwin and The Ontario Principals’ Council. https://doi.org/10.1083/jcb.200404013
Ghavifekr, S., Afshari, M., & Seger, S. S. K. (2013). ICT application for administration and management: A conceptual review. Procedia-Social and Behavioral Sciences, 103, 1344–1351. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.sbspro.2013.10.705
Ghavifekr, S., Abd Razak, A. Z., A. Ghani, M. F., Ran, N. Y., Meixi, Y., & Tengyue, Z. (2014). ICT Integration in education: Incorporation for teaching & learning improvement. Malaysian Online Journal of Educational Technology, 2(2), 24–54.
http://www.mojet.net/article.php?volume=2&issue=2&vid=34&article=80
Gold, E., Simon, E., Mundell, L., & Brown, C. (2004). Bringing community organizing into the school reform picture. Nonprofit and Voluntary Sector Quarterly, 33(3 suppl), 54S-76S. https://doi.org/10.1177/0899764004265439
Hallinger, P., & Heck, R. H. (2010a). Collaborative leadership and school improvement: Understanding the impact on school capacity and student learning. In School Leadership & Management (Vol. 30, pp. 95–110). https://doi.org/10.1080/13632431003663214
Hallinger, P., & Heck, R. H. (2010b). Leadership for Learning: Does collaborative leadership make a Ddifference in school improvement? Educational Management Administration & Leadership, 38(6), 654–678. https://doi.org/10.1177/1741143210379060
Hanushek, E. A., & Rivkin, S. G. (2012). The distribution of teacher quality and implications for policy. Annual Review of Economics, 4(1), 131–157. https://doi.org/10.1146/annurev-economics-080511-111001
Harris, A. (2000). What works in school improvement? Lessons from the field and future directions. Educational Research, 42(1), 1–11.
https://doi.org/10.1080/001318800363872
Harris, A., & Hopkins, D. (2000). Introduction to special feature: Alternative perspectives on school improvement. School Leadership & Management, 20(March 2015), 9–14. https://doi.org/10.1080/13632430068842
Hepp K., P., Hinostroza S., E., Laval M., E., & Rehbein F., L. (2004). Technology in schools: Education, ICT and the knowledge society (No. 31194). The World Bank. http://documents.worldbank.org/curated/en/2004/10/5539604/technology-schools-education-ict-knowledge-society
Hopkins, D. (2001). School improvement for real. In Educational change and development series. RoutledgeFalmer. https://doi.org/doi:10.4324/9780203165799
Hopkins, D., Harris, A., Stoll, L., & Mackay, T. (2011). School and system improvement: State of the art review. The 24th International Congress of School Effectiveness and School Improvement, January, 1–25.
Hopkins, D., Stringfield, S., Harris, A., Stoll, L., & Mackay, T. (2014). School and system improvement: A narrative state-of-the-art review. School Effectiveness and School Improvement, 25(2), 257–281. https://doi.org/10.1080/09243453.2014.885452
Hoque, K. E., Abdul Razak, A. Z., & Zohora, M. F. (2012). ICT utilization among school teachers and principals in Malaysia. International Journal of Academic Research in Progressive Education and Development, 1(4), 17–34.
Huber, S. G. (2004). Preparing school leaders for the 21st century: An international comparison of development programs in 15 countries. RoutledgeFalmer Taylor & Francis Group.
Hussin, S. (2009). Dasar pembangunan pendidikan Malaysia?: Teori dan analisis. Dewan Bahasa & Pustaka.
Idris, A. R., Ahmad, H., Hussin, S., Ghavifekr, S., & Ibrahim, M. S. (2014). Analisis strategik dasar pendidikan. Universiti Malaya.
Johnson, E. (2013). The impact of instructional coaching on school improvement (Unpublished Doctoral Thesis) (Issue March). Tennessee State University.
Kisumo, C., Osman, A., & Ongeti, K. (2013). School culture: Implications to school improvement and performance in national examinations in Kenya. Journal of Emerging Trends in Educational Research and Policy Studies, 4(1), 94–99.
http://www.jeteraps.scholarlinkresearch.org/articles/School Culture.pdf
Leana, C. R. (2011). The missing link in school reform. Stanford Social Innovation Review, 34. http://www.ssireview.org/articles/entry/the_missing_link_in_school_reform
Lieberman, a., & Pointer Mace, D. H. (2008). Teacher learning: The key to educational reform. Journal of Teacher Education, 59(3), 226–234.
https://doi.org/10.1177/0022487108317020
Maertens, H., Aggarwal, R., Macdonald, S., Vermassen, F., Van Herzeele, I., Brodmann, M., Devries, J. P., Ferraresi, R., Ansel, G., Goverde, P., Gray, W., Lammer, J., Lee, J., Maleux, G., Metzger, C., Minar, E., Morgan, R., Mustapha, J., Ronchey, S., … Wholey, M. (2016). Transatlantic Multispecialty Consensus on Fundamental Endovascular Skills: Results of a Delphi Consensus Study. European Journal of Vascular and Endovascular Surgery. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ejvs.2015.08.014
Mincu, M. E. (2015). Teacher quality and school improvement: What is the role of research? Oxford Review of Education, 41(2), 253–269.
https://doi.org/10.1080/03054985.2015.1023013
Ministry of Education. (1997). Smart School flagship: The Malaysian Smart School - A conceptual. In Government of Malaysia (Vol. 12, Issue 7).
http://www.mscmalaysia.my/sites/default/files/pdf/publications_references/Smart_School_Blueprint.pdf
Ministry of Education. (2012). Dasar Pendidikan Kebangsaan. In Bahagian Perancangan dan Penyelidikan Dasar Pendidikan (Third). https://doi.org/ISBN 978-983-3444-40-3
Ministry of Education Malaysia. (2013). Malaysia Education Blueprint 2013-2025. In Ministry of Education Malaysia.
Ministry of Education Malaysia. (2015). Portal Rasmi Kementerian Pendidikan Malaysia. http://www.moe.gov.my/v/sekolah-berprestasi-tinggi
Moses, E., & Malani, I. (2019). Dual Language Programme: The perceptions and challenges of teachers and students in Klang, Selangor. Jurnal Pendidikan Sains Dan Matematik Malaysia, 9(1). https://doi.org/10.37134/jpsmm.vol9.1.5.2019
Mourshed, M., Chijioke, C., & Barber, M. (2010). How the world’s most improved school systems keep getting better. In McKinsey & Company.
https://doi.org/10.1017/CBO9781107415324.004
National Education Association. (2014). Preparing 21st century students for a global society: An educator’s guide to the “Four Cs” (pp. 1–38). National Education Association.
Abdullah, N. A. W., Dewitt, D., & Alias, N. (2013). School improvement efforts and challenges: A case study of a principal utilizing Information Communication Technology. Procedia - Social and Behavioral Sciences, 103, 791–800.
https://doi.org/10.1016/j.sbspro.2013.10.400
OECD. (2010). Overcoming school failure: Policies that work. OECD project description (Issue April).
OECD. (2012). Preparing teachers and developing school leaders for the 21st century: Lessons from around the world (A. Schleicher (Ed.)). OECD Publishing.
https://doi.org/10.1787/9789264174559-en
Office for Standards in Education. (2015). Parents view. https://parentview.ofsted.gov.uk/
Paine, S., & McCann, R. (2009). Engaging stakeholders: Including parents and the community to Sustain improved reading outcomes (Issue 6). RMC Research Corporation.
Penlington, C., Kington, A., & Day, C. (2008). Leadership in improving schools: A qualitative perspective. School Leadership & Management, 28(1), 65–82.
https://doi.org/10.1080/13632430701800086
Pont, B. (2020). A literature review of school leadership policy reforms. European Journal of Education, 55, 154–168. https://doi.org/10.1111/ejed.12398
Prew, M. (2009). Community involvement in school development: Modifying school improvement concepts to the needs of South African township schools. Educational Management Administration & Leadership, 37(6), 824–846.
https://doi.org/10.1177/1741143209345562
Radzi, F. A. M., Razak, M. N. A., & Sukor, N. H. M. (2010). Parental Involvement in School to Improve Academic Achievement: Primary Teachers' Views. International Journal of Learning, 17(9).
Ravitch, D. (2010). The death and life of the great American schools: How testing and choice are undermining education. Basics Book.
Salfi, N. A. (2011). Successful leadership practices of head teachers for school improvement: Some evidence from Pakistan. Journal of Educational Administration, 49(4), 414–432. https://doi.org/10.1108/09578231111146489
Schoen, L. T., & Teddlie, C. (2008). A new model of school culture: A response to a call for conceptual clarity. School Effectiveness and School Improvement, 19(1994), 129–153. https://doi.org/10.1080/09243450802095278
Seashore, K. R. (2009). Leadership and change in schools: Personal reflections over the last 30 years. Journal of Educational Change, 10(2–3), 129–140.
https://doi.org/10.1007/s10833-009-9111-4
Sebring, P. B., Allensworth, E., Bryk, A. S., Easton, J. Q., & Luppescu, S. (2006). The essential supports for school improvement. In Consortium on Chicago School Research (CCSR).
Shakir, F. J., Issa, J. H., & Mustafa, P. O. (2011). Perceptions towards Distributed Leadership in school improvement. International Journal of Business and Management, 6(10). https://doi.org/10.5539/ijbm.v6n10p256
Stegall, D. A. (2008). Professional learning communities and teacher efficacy: A correlational study (Unpublished Doctoral Thesis) (Issue May) [Appalachian State University]. http://medcontent.metapress.com/index/A65RM03P4874243N.pdf
Stoll, L. (2009). Capacity building for school improvement or creating capacity for learning? A changing landscape. Journal of Educational Change, 10(2–3), 115–127.
https://doi.org/10.1007/s10833-009-9104-3
Stringer, P. M. (2009). Capacity building for school improvement: A case study of a New Zealand primary school. Educational Research for Policy and Practice, 8(3), 153–179. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10671-009-9073-6
Suliman, S., Mohd Nor, M.Y., & Md Yunus, M. (2017). Dual-language programme in Malaysian secondary schools: Glancing through the students’ readiness and unravelling the unheard voices. GEMA Online Journal of Language Studies, 17(4).
https://doi.org/10.17576/gema-2017-1704-09
Tosun, N., & Baris, M. F. (2011). Using Information and Communication Technologies in school improvement. Turkish Online Journal of Educational Technology - TOJET, 10(1), 223–231.
Townsend, T. (2009). Third millennium leaders: Thinking and acting both locally and globally. Leadership and Policy in Schools, 8(4), 355–379.
https://doi.org/10.1080/15700760802535278
Townsend, T. (2011). Thinking and acting both locally and globally: New issues for teacher education. Journal of Education for Teaching, 37(2), 121–137.
https://doi.org/10.1080/02607476.2011.558263
UNESCO. (2011). Transforming education: The power of ICT policies. UNESCO Publishing. http://www.unescobkk.org/education/ict/online-resources/databases/ict-in-education-database/item/article/transforming-education-the-power-of-ict-policies-1/
UNESCO. (2013). Malaysia education policy review.
https://doi.org/10.1080/09512748.2013.755360
UNESCO. (2014). Global Citizenship Education: Preparing learners for the challenges of the 21st century. UNESCO Publishing.
http://unesdoc.unesco.org/images/0022/002277/227729E.pdf
Wiseman, D. L. (2012). The Intersection of policy, reform, and teacher education. Journal of Teacher Education, 63(2), 87–91. https://doi.org/10.1177/0022487111429128
Yiasemis, C. (2008). [Review of the book School improvement: International perspectives, edited by John Chi-kin Lee and Michael Williams]. School Effectiveness and School Improvement, 19(1), 121–126. https://doi.org/10.1080/09243450801936886
In-Text Citation: (Nor et al., 2022)
To Cite this Article: Nor, N. M., Razak, A. Z. A., & Muda, R. (2022). Areas of School Improvement: Consensus of Various Educational Stakeholders. International Journal of Academic Research in Progressive Education and Development, 11(1), 803–826.
Copyright: © 2022 The Author(s)
Published by HRMARS (www.hrmars.com)
This article is published under the Creative Commons Attribution (CC BY 4.0) license. Anyone may reproduce, distribute, translate and create derivative works of this article (for both commercial and non-commercial purposes), subject to full attribution to the original publication and authors. The full terms of this license may be seen at: http://creativecommons.org/licences/by/4.0/legalcode