Multigrade Rural Schools Intervention Multigrade Rural Schools Intervention

Ten years ago participants of the World Conference on Education recognised that n more than 100 million children had no access to primary education n more than 100 million children failed to complete basic education programmes n millions more satisfied the attendance requirements but did not acquire essential knowledge and skills during programmes

n 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 n 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)

n 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. Rural Schools in South Africa n 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

International research identifies six key variables for successful teaching in rural multigrade schools: 1. Classroom organisation 2. Classroom management and discipline 3. Instructional organisation and curriculum 4. Instruction delivery and grouping 5. Self directed learning 6. Peer tutoring

A National Priority n Educational problems in rural schools are a national priority - our president has emphasised the need for effective, coherent strategies n Our Intervention rests within broader strategies addressing the problems experienced by rural communities n The Western Cape Education Department has approved a plan to eliminate these appalling conditions - The Multigrade Rural Schools Intervention

1 Corporate Plan : 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 NATIONAL DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION President Mbeki: INTEGRATED SUSTAINABLE RURAL DEVELOPMENT STRATEGY NATIONAL GOVERNMENT MULTIGRADE RURAL SCHOOLS PROJECT Directly linked to Corporate Plan & Implementation Plan of NDoE WESTERN CAPE EDUCATION DEPARTMENT The Intervention within the nation & province

n Teachers are trained to efficiently manage and organise their multigrade classrooms n Relevant learning programmes and resources are developed and made available to schools n Teachers in these schools are trained to use, develop and apply such learning programmes optimally with the support of Information and Communication Technologies n EMDC officials are trained to provide ongoing support to such teachers n The quality of teaching in mullti-grade schools will improve n Learner participants and performance in reading, writing and mental mathematics will improve The Multigrade Rural Schools Intervention IF THEN

Extent of the Intervention EMDCSchoolsTeachersLearners Overberg SC & Karoo WC & Winelands Total

Professional development of teachers Strategy 1 Theory at residential inservice trainingTheory 2 Demonstration and practical application by peersDemonstration 3 Classroom support by key teacherskey teachers 4 Online support by multifunctional teamsmultifunctional teams 5 Online communication, support and curriculum delivery using ICTs Online 6 Life-long learning and accreditationLife-long learning R E S E A R C H

Course Content n Literacy focussing on reading and writing n Classroom organisation and management n Numeracy focussing on mental maths n ICT skills and online support strategies

Demonstration n Viewing and discussing a series of videos to visually demonstrate the course content n Live demonstrations and discussions with peers n Coaching and practicising of relevant skills and knowledge to build teaching expertise n Planning of lessons and learning resources n Presenting demonstration lessons to learners n Reflection

Key Teachers n Select and train experienced multigrade teachers n Key teachers support classroom teachers for one week in the classroom to apply the content and strategies they’ve been taught n Provide an unthreatening, supportive learning environment for teachers

Multifunctional Teams n Comprised of circuit manager, SLES, and teacher co-ordinator n Identify problems and successes n Support classroom teachers n Supply resources and advice n Record and report on activities

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

WCED Project Office Cluster management         

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

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

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

WCED Project Office Online learning community Cluster management         Web site   Fileservers +   databases for delivery + monitoring  Learning support  Technical support Communications and materials delivery

Ongoing communication and materials delivery 2004  Web site  Fileserver +  database for delivery + monitoring  Learning support  Technical support EMDC Clusters HO

Using Information and Communication Technologies n Customised software for teachers n Computer literacy training and skills n Online mentoring and facilitation

Teacher Training n Face to face training: Curriculum Development and IT Unit: Computer literacy focusing on basic computer skills including , web browsing and use of document browser n Online training: SchoolNet SA: Specialised multigrade module focusing on online communication, accessing curriculum and resources via the web n CD Rom and print resources

Multifunctional Team Training n Face to face training: Project Team: Introductory course on cluster management, accessing and delivering curriculum and resources via the web n Online mentoring and facilitation course: SchoolNet SA: Specialised multigrade module focusing on online communication and community building, peer support, n CD Rom and print resources

Life-long Learning and Accreditation n Accredited training modules – NQF n Certification of teachers by tertiary institutions n Developing further study opportunities and courses in multigrade teaching n Promotion and career opportunities in multigrade education n 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 Pilot multifunctional teams Key Teachers Training 2002 Pre-Jun Jul Aug Sept Oct Nov Dec 2003 Term 1 Term 2 Term 3 Term 4 Preparation, school visits First implementation  Second implementation  Third implementation  Fourth implementation

Steering Committee Executive Committee Literacy task team Multifunctional teams/ school training teams Video committee ICT committee Curriculum com MGI: Human Resources ~ a c c o u n t a b l e s t r u c t u r e s ~ Mental Maths task team P P P P P P Planning Implementation P Assessment com Evaluators

Steering Committee Executive Committee Literacy task team Multifunctional teams/ school training teams Video committee ICT committee Curriculum com MGI: Human Resources ~ a c c o u n t a b l e s t r u c t u r e s ~ Mental Maths task team P P P P P P Planning Implementation P Assessment com Evaluators

WCED Head Office n Chief Director: Regional Services (Rural) n Chief Director: Education Planning n Director: Communication n Director: Curriculum Development n Director: Human resources n Director: Education Research n Director: Specialised Education Support Services n Director: Media Services n Manager: Khanya Project n Curriculum Planners

WCED Rural EMDCs n Director: Westcoast/Winelands EMDC n Director: Breede River/Overberg EMDC n Director: South Cape/Karoo EMDC n Chief Curriculum Advisers n Curriculum Advisers n Media Advisers n Principals and teachers

PAWC Schools IT Unit n IT Advisers

Edumedia n Video production unit n Print unit n DTP Unit

Project Office n Project manager n Operations manager n Administration

External Evaluators

Expansion of the Intervention 1st implementation: Aug - Dec 20022nd implementation: Nov 2002 – Mar 20033rd implementation: Mar 2003 – June 20034th implementation: Jun – Sep th implementation: Sep – Dec th implementation: Nov 2003 – Mar th implementation: Mar – June th implementation: Jun – Sep 2004 Multigrade school clusters 9th implementation: Sep - Dec 2004

Testing components n pre and post tests of basic skills n standardised tests n external project evaluation

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

The essential focus of the Multigrade Intervention…