The development of a school improvement program for Eric G. Lambert School, Churchill Falls, Labrador, Newfoundland

Clarke, Adrian (1990) The development of a school improvement program for Eric G. Lambert School, Churchill Falls, Labrador, Newfoundland. Masters thesis, Memorial University of Newfoundland.

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Abstract

Eric G. Lambert School has been privately operated by the Churchill Falls (Labrador) Corporation since it opened in September, 1967. As a private school operated by a hydro electric corporation, it has functioned outside the denominational educational system of the province of Newfoundland, and its operation is not subject to the jurisdiction of any school board. However, the school does follow the curriculum prescribed by the provincial Department of Education. -- This study was developed to provide parents, teachers, and students the opportunity to express what they liked and/or disliked, and what they wanted to maintain and/or change about their school. The study design was shaped by the literature on school improvement, and included an abridged version of the history of Eric G. Lambert School, the development and administration of three questionnaires: one for each of the groups involved in the study - parents, teachers, and students. -- This was the first time such an indepth study was undertaken at Eric G. Lambert School. It was a welcomed experience for parents, teachers, and students to have the opportunity to express their opinions about all aspects of the operation of the school. The history of the school indicated that the involvement of any of the survey groups in school matters was heretofore one of reaction instead of action. Hence, the main intent was to provide a coherent portrait of the school as perceived by students, teachers and parents of Churchill Falls as of June, 1988 when the questionnaires were completed and administered. An analysis of the data will provide a framework for a three-to-five-year schoolwide improvement plan for Eric G. Lambert School. -- The three questionnaires were developed by the researcher, from an exhaustive literature review on school improvement, the history of Eric G. Lambert School, and the experience of the researcher's own tenure at the school. The main survey areas were: -- Expectations -- Clear Instructional Goals -- Student-Centered Learning Environment -- Continuous Humanistic Assessment -- Key Instructional Behaviours -- Effective Leadership -- Shared Vision -- Systematic Monitoring and Evaluation -- Emphasis on Student Learning and Progress -- Well-Coordinated Curriculum -- Staff Development -- Positive School Climate -- Churchill Falls School Committee -- Community Counselling and Support Services -- Communications -- Pressure and Support -- Churchill Falls Recreation Department -- Incentives -- The questionnaires were administered to the population for each group: 27 teachers, 142 parents, and 161 students. Responses were excellent, as 92.9% of parents, 100% of the teachers and 92.5% of the students returned completed questionnaires, for an overall response rate of 93.3%. -- The Statistical Package for the Social Services (SPSS:X) was used to generate a summary of the descriptive statistics for each individual item for each group surveyed. The analysis was presented in the form of descriptive statistics, utilizing primarily tabular formats which often required little additional comment in the text of the document. -- The three groups expressed a variety of opinions regarding various aspects of the operation of Eric G. Lambert School. There were similarities and differences expressed with each group’s identification of perceived strengths and weaknesses of the school, opinions of what the characteristics of a successful student should be, and suggestions for improvement. The data revealed that student discipline, expansion of the curriculum, alcohol and drug programs, staff performance appraisal program, and a greater opportunity for students to be involved in appropriate school decisions and policy development are among the core ingredients of a three-to-five-year improvement plan, currently underway at Eric G. Lambert School.

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