the principles and practices of continuous improvement of quality in Schools
| Since 1997 Tallangatta Secondary College and Corryong College have been engaged in applying the principles and practices of Excellence (continuous improvement) to school administration and classroom practices. Through the implementation of these principles to management, school systems, classrooms and to learning itself, members of these colleges have been leading the way in curriculum development and improved student learning using these methods.
Both schools were members of the group of 28 schools in the 1997 pilot round of the program now known as Quality in Schools run by Business Excellence Australia. This program of Professional Learning has now reached over 200 Victorian schools and over 200 schools in South Australia. The concepts and practices are universal and are being implemented world wide in progressive education and business systems. In 2001 Tallangatta Secondary College initiated the cluster training concept by taking four of its feeder primary schools into round five of this two year PD program. It was through the application of the Plan Do Study Act process of improvement that our initial submission for Innovations and Excellence and shared vision was achieved. Our team of 13 teachers from five schools spent a day using the tools of quality improvement to create a synergy which has sparked our commitment to the Innovations and Excellence project and developed our strategies. One of our cluster Educators, Marilyn Chambers, works closely with the Quality in Schools team and delivers practical professional Development to schools in Australia with an emphasis on classroom applications of the principles and tools. Her leadership within our cluster will reflect her commitment to this philosophy and practice. Our cluster will continue to grow within the framework of this program namely: * to understand and live the principles of contemporary quality, * to understand the systems and sub systems within which we operate, * to self assess, * to use the Plan Do study Act process of improvement, and * to capture the memory of the cluster so that efficiencies and learning can be shared and members can be trained and coached in the improvements we make thereby improving sustainability of improvements we make. Part of Marilyn's role as Educator will be to provide further PD and coaching within the cluster to build the understanding of school principals and teachers as they implement the strategies of improvement. A shared understanding of the principles and commitment to them is vital for the alligned leadership required of this project. |
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very useful site for contacts, downloads and details
Michael King and Jane Kovacs as former members of BEA were key helpers in getting our cluster submission going. They have now formed "Quality Learning Australia" which offers PD and training in improved learning. They also auspice the highly esteemed David Langford 4 day "Quality Learning" conference.
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