Multigrade Rural Schools Intervention Ten years ago

Multigrade Rural Schools 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

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) 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 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 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.

International research identifies six key variables for successful teaching in rural multigrade schools: 1. 2. 3. 4. 5. Classroom organisation Classroom management and discipline Instructional organisation and curriculum Instruction delivery and grouping Self directed learning

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

The Intervention within the nation & province NATIONAL GOVERNMENT President Mbeki: INTEGRATED SUSTAINABLE RURAL DEVELOPMENT STRATEGY NATIONAL DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION 1 Corporate Plan 2000 -2004: Rural Programme 2: School Effectiveness & Educator Professionalism Project 2: Status & Quality of Teaching 2 Implementation Plan: Consolidating & Enhancing Education Initiatives in Rural Areas of South Africa. Directly linked to 4 Tirisano priorities WESTERN CAPE EDUCATION DEPARTMENT MULTIGRADE RURAL SCHOOLS PROJECT Directly linked to Corporate Plan & Implementation Plan of NDo. E

The Multigrade Rural Schools Intervention IF 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 THEN The quality of teaching in mullti-grade schools will improve Learner participants and performance in reading, writing and mental mathematics will improve

Extent of the Intervention EMDC Schools Teachers Learners Overberg 132 355 8713 SC & 105 Karoo WC & 87 Winelands Total 352 265 8005 250 8494 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 RESEARCH

Course Content Classroom organisation and management Literacy focussing on reading and writing 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

Communications and materials delivery WCED Project Office Head office + EMDCs Wellington Clusters of rural schools Cluster management

Communications and materials delivery WCED Project Office Email Cluster management

Communications and materials delivery WCED Project Office Web site Cluster management Email Online learning community

Communications and materials delivery WCED Project Office Web site Cluster management Email Online learning community

Communications and materials delivery WCED Project Office Web site Cluster management Email Online learning community

Communications and materials delivery WCED Project Office Web site Cluster management Email Cluster management Fileservers + databases for delivery + monitoring Online learning community Technical support Learning support

Ongoing communication and materials delivery 2004 Fileserver + database for delivery + monitoring HO EMDC Web site EMDC Clusters Technical support Learning support

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: School. Net 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: School. Net 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 Key Teachers Pilot multifunctional teams Training Preparation, school visits First implementation Second implementation Third implementation Fourth implementation 2002 Pre-Jun Jul Aug Sept Oct Nov Dec 2003 Term 1 Term 2 Term 3 Term 4

~ accountable structures ~ MGI: Human Resources Steering Committee P Executive Committee P Assessment com Curriculum com P Evaluators ICT committee Video committee Mental Maths task team Literacy task team Multifunctional teams/ school training teams P Planning Implementation P P P

~ accountable structures ~ MGI: Human Resources Steering Committee P Executive Committee P Assessment com Curriculum com P Evaluators ICT committee Video committee Mental Maths task team Literacy task team Multifunctional teams/ school training teams P Planning Implementation P P P

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 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 1 st implementation: Aug - Dec 2002 2 nd implementation: Nov 2002 – Mar 2003 3 rd implementation: Mar 2003 – June 2003 4 th implementation: Jun – Sep 2003 5 th implementation: Sep – Dec 2003 6 th implementation: Nov 2003 – Mar 2004 7 th implementation: Mar – June 2004 8 th implementation: Jun – Sep 2004 9 th implementation: Sep - Dec 2004 Multigrade school clusters

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 Conceptualisation and design of Intervention Programme Evaluability Assessment Evaluation Activities Pilot version of Intervention implemented [Partial coverage of target group] Interactive process evaluation [Formative purpose] Standard version of Intervention implemented at scale Intervention outcomes/ benefits Programme Monitoring [Evaluation of delivery and proper implementation Outcome Evaluation / Impact Assessment / Cost-Benefit Analyses

The essential focus of the Multigrade Intervention…