Influential factors in the school improvement. A study case in Freinet schools

Abstract

INTRODUCTION. Research has shown that distributed leadership, collaborative culture, educational innovation and formative assessment are essential factors to drive improvement processes in schools. Therefore, this paper aims to describe and understand how the factors associated with school improvement influence student learning and teacher professional development. METHOD. Given the qualitative nature of the research, a descriptive-interpretive case study is carried out in four Freinet schools in Liège (Belgium) that are analyzed in depth. These schools have developed a bottom-up educational improvement process to create a school network. Data were collected through in-depth interviews, document analysis, participant and non-participant observations of teaching practices. RESULTS. Results show that the four factors have influenced the design of a common Educational Project in the school network, the implementation of personalized training seminars in schools, the decrease in the ratios and the integration of ICT in the teaching process-learning. DISCUSSION. Research on the bottom-up improvement process is essential to deepen the knowledge about the creation of school networks.