Teacher Quality
What is the contrast between teacher quality in developing and developed countries?
Teacher quality is generally low in developing countries and high in developed countries.
In what situations can learning be significantly enhanced in small classes?
in very small classes (10-15 students) by paying attention to the needs of students individually.
According to the passage, what is considered to be the most important teaching material?
textbook
According to the passage, what is the role of the curriculum in determining the quality of education?
The curriculum plays a vital role
How does good educational management contribute to maintaining educational quality?
Good educational management underpins all the aspects and is vital to maintaining educational quality.
Why are underqualified teachers frequently employed in developing countries?
due to shortages of trained teachers
Why is the role of class size in education considered a matter of policy importance?
because even a small change in teacher/pupil ratios has a large impact on funding requirements.
What are some of the problems with the quality of textbooks in developing countries?
poor quality in terms of physical condition and instructional characteristics.
What has been the focus of the curriculum debate in developing countries?
the relative need for "vocational" and "academic" education
What are the three broad levels of educational administration mentioned in the passage?
the central level, the intermediate or local level, and the individual school level.
Why might underqualified teachers be preferred in some extreme cases?
because they are less expensive to employ.
What is the overall conclusion of the research literature on the impact of class size on learning outcomes?
smaller classes make virtually no difference to learning outcomes in either developing or developed countries.
Why is it difficult for developing countries to allocate funds for instructional materials in their educational budgets?
because salaries for teachers take priority.
What two main reasons are given for the failure of curriculum reform in developing countries?
the limited influence of schools on students' occupational aspirations and the ineffectiveness of school-based vocational training.
According to the passage, what aspects of school quality are often overlooked in discussions of school effectiveness?
school ethos, teacher commitment, and parental support
What is the relationship between levels of pre-service pedagogical training and actual teaching practices in schools?
There is no consistent relationship
According to Lafleur et al., what did their tabulated studies in 1974 conclude about the learning advantage in small classes?
Lafleur et al. concluded that there is no learning advantage in small classes, although teacher satisfaction was greater in smaller classes.
Why are instructional materials often neglected in the educational process, especially at the primary level?
due to lack of resources and budget constraints, especially in developing countries.
Why is school-based vocational training often not as effective as on-the-job or specialized training?
because it is neither as effective nor as cheap
What does the research suggest about the benefits of decentralization of educational management?
It can lead to increased school effectiveness and the ability to respond to local community needs and conditions.
How have the educational qualifications of teachers in OECD countries changed in recent years?
The educational qualifications of teachers in OECD countries have risen strongly in recent years, partly due to the general expansion in tertiary enrolments and specific policies to upgrade the educational background of teachers.
Why does the author argue that reducing class size may not be the most effective way to improve school quality?
because it is costly and the resources could be better deployed in other avenues.
How is the educational process being transformed through the introduction of computers?
replacing traditional teaching and learning methods with computer-based methods.
What has been recognized about the development of specific vocational skills?
specific vocational skills are better developed in workplace environment
What criticisms have been raised about the research on effective schools?
approaching the question of effectiveness from the producers' perspective rather than the consumers' perspective.