Improving School Management in a Low-Income Country
Photo credit: Media Lens King via Adobe Stock Images
Policy Context
In low and middle-income countries, weak school management practices are associated with low student achievement. Research finds that school management training programs can increase student achievement. However, since these programs can be delivered in different ways, more evidence is needed to understand how to invest in school management more efficiently and effectively. The research team will investigate how school diagnostic assessments, guidance, and follow-up support impact student learning outcomes and school quality. This research will fill a gap in the literature by assessing the impact of diagnostic assessments combined with follow-up support on school principal engagement.
Study Design
The researchers will conduct a three-year randomized control trial (RCT) of a large-scale school management program in Uganda with implementing partner, Promoting Equality in African Schools (PEAS), which runs a network of private secondary schools in Uganda known for strong management practices. The PEAS program, Inspect and Improve (I&I), is locally-grounded, and found promising improvements in school management practices in its pilot phase. Working with the research team, PEAS will now scale I&I to 150 additional schools in the upcoming academic year. To evaluate the research question, the researchers will compare management practices and student learning between two groups, one of which will receive customized diagnostic assessment, guidance, and follow-up support to develop a school improvement plan.
Results & Policy Lessons
Results forthcoming.