The study of the process of the “school- type experimental education” promoted by the principal of t...

THE STUDY OF THE PROCESS OF THE “SCHOOL TYPE EXPERIMENTAL EDUCATION” PROMOTED BY THE PRINCIPAL OF THE ELEMENTARY SCHOOL AS AN EXAMPLE OF A PRINCIPAL OF A SMALL SCHOOL IN TAICHUNG CITY Tang Cheng Mao1 Abstract In 2014, the government announced three types of Experimental Education Act, such as the “Education on School Experiments Regulations”, to provide the legal source for Experimental Education In 2015, a total of 3 primary schools applied for approval in Taichung City, and are scheduled to be[.]

EXPERIMENTAL EDUCATION” PROMOTED BY THE PRINCIPAL OF THE ELEMENTARY SCHOOL: AS AN EXAMPLE OF A PRINCIPAL OF A SMALL SCHOOL IN

TAICHUNG CITY

Tang Cheng-Mao 1

Abstract: In 2014, the government announced three types of Experimental

Education Act, such as the “Education on School Experiments Regulations”,

to provide the legal source for Experimental Education In 2015, a total of 3 primary schools applied for approval in Taichung City, and are scheduled to

be formally implemented in August of this year.

In this study,the principal of the "Multi-Ecological Exploration School" experimental education program was selected as the research object We took interview research method to understand the principal's educational philosophy, teacher development, and experimental curriculums leadership , resource integration and funding The study results are as follows:

(1) It is important to continuously strengthen the concept of advocating experimental education, establish a high level of consensus within and outside the school, and turn it into a supporting force.

(2) Public school teachers need to be authorized to adjust to avoid the high worry of teacher turnover.

(3) The multiple assessment of experimental education courses, basic scholastic ability and linkage should be fully thought.

(4) The principal should demonstrate the ability to integrate the resources within and outside the school and its funding and continue to develop towards an experimental education school.

1 Doctoral student, Department of Educational Policy and Administration, National Chi Nan University

(5) The study proposes the conclusions and suggestions for development

of the experimental education school ,the local government and the studies

in the future.

Keywords: principal's leadership, school-type experimental education

Introduction

Zhang Biru (2013) pointed out that in 1990, the first forest primary school outside the system appeared in Taiwan After the “Caterpillar Academy” was established in 1994 by several families of the Caterpillar Foundation, experimental education was promoted in the private sector People with different education concepts are dedicated to experimental education, including self-education, co-education or the establishment of experimental schools They have been working quietly so far, such as the “Yifu Huadefu Education Experimental School” and Yunlin County “Fuzhi Education Park” Establish a good teaching model and school reputation

The three types of Experimental Education Act were officially released in November 2014 The first article of the General Regulations reveals that in order to encourage educational experimentation and innovation, school-type experiment education is implemented to protect people’s right to study and receive education and increase people’s chances of choosing educational methods and content To promote the diversified development of education, implement the provisions of Article 13 of the Basic Law of Education, and formulate these regulations At the point, Taiwan’s experimental education formally entered a new era The three types

of experimental education include Regulations for the Implementation of Non-School-Type Experimental Education at Higher Secondary Education Levels, Regulations for the Implementation of School-Type Experimental Education, and Regulations for Private Entrustment of Public National Primary Schools and National High Schools to implement the Basic Law for Education In the spirit of government and private education experiments, the Ministry of Education also encourages local governments to handle experimental education in response to local needs At the same time, it established the basis for the legal source of public education for private and public schools in experimental education It is

no longer only handled privately Public schools can also apply for experimental education in accordance with the law to create another vision for the school to create a better learning environment and create a unique environment(Chen Tian-ding,2016)

The promulgation of the source of the School-type Experimental Education Act, in addition to providing the small rural-public school transformation opportunities to exist sustainably, to escaping the inherent school system and practices, and to adopting more flexible school-running strategies(Guo Tian-cai,2015) On the one hand, they can create school highlights and performance, and on the other hand, attract students from outside the school district For instance, the Taichung City Government provides educational opportunities for more students, introduces experimental education in schools, responds to diversified needs of the society, promotes diversified educational development, implements educational reforms, and initiates the establishment or restructuring

of experimental education schools for applications (Taichung City Government Education Bureau, 105.1.22)

Research motivation

1 The public experimental education school is inevitably still subject to and adaptability, diversity” From the existing education model to the experimental education school, the school principal’s philosophy of running

a school will be important

2 Schools face the destiny to cut down and abandon, try to seek experimental education paths to develop school-characterized courses, and from the intention to promote experimental education to the review of experimental education programs, bear the brunt of the value recognition of parents and teachers, and change the status quo Various challenges are waiting for the headmaster to resolve her differences and gain support

3 During the course of advocating, planning, reviewing and operating the school for experimental education, the principal's educational philosophy, guidance, encouragement and communication, and implementation of curriculum development are the focus of the study

Objectives of the study

1 To explore the school managing concept of "school-type experimental education" promoted by the school principal

2 To explore the possible problems faced by the school principals in promoting

"school-type experimental education"

3 To explore the strategies adopted by the school principal to promote "school-type experimental education"

Definition of School-type experimental education

A school, practicing specific education concepts, executes integrated education experiments on school system, administrative operations, organization type, equipment and facilities, qualifications and methods of production of principals, qualifications and access methods of teaching staff, teaching of courses, student admission, assessment of learning achievement, student affairs and guidance, community and parenting, etc

Research Object

The study is based on the research of a school principal in a small-rural school in Taichung City, and actively promoted the experimental education school during the period when the school issued the “school experiment education” from the three types of experimental education and was approved by the municipal government The principal’s education philosophy, thoughts, strategies, actions are the scope of the study

Research tools

The study uses semi-structured interviews to design a qualitative study of the interview syllabus and document analysis method for case analysis, and discusses the process of a school principal to promote experimental education The outline of the interview is as follows:

1 What is the principal's understanding of your scriptures, expertise, and thoughts and presentation of experimental education?

2 What kind of environmental conditions do you think the school can handle for experimental education? Can a simple analysis be done? According to the development of the school, what kind of experimental education theme are suitable?

3 During the process of promoting experimental education schools, what problems have arisen that need to be resolved? The school organizes culture and communion, parents and community expectations for education, school teacher identification and professional knowledge, school internal and external environmental resources, experimental education curriculum planning

4 The school principal, the navigators for the school affairs, acts as a advocator

of ideas, communication motivators, and professional leaders in curriculum

and teaching, how can you clarify which effective strategies to use to transform the power of the experimental education schools?

Discussion of literature

The meanings of "school-type experimental education"

According to the legislative intent of the "Regulations on the Implementation

of School-type Experimental Education" promulgated by the Ministry of Education (2014), the meaning of school-type experimental education includes the following:

1 Implement the spirit of the Basic Law of Education and encourage the government and the people to conduct educational experiments, research, and evaluations to promote education development

2 Urge schools to innovate: experimental education schools can escape the framework of the existing organizational structure, syllabus, according to the education concept, curriculum structure, teaching methods, teacher structure, student image and school function integration innovation, linking the community industry Resources, using campus space resources, community resources and environment for curriculum teaching, development

of alternative education, etc (Zhan Zhijun, Wu Yichun, 2015)

3 Protecting students' right to education, and experimental education places special emphasis on learning guidance and assessment.It is mainly to ensure the rights and quality of students' education (Wu Qingshan, 2015)

4 Providing parental education choices, the main body of education choice is parents, based on the needs and well-being of the students, and then choose the right to their most appropriate education (Qin Mengqun,2015)

5 To develop adaptive learning opportunities, “appropriateness and excellence” is the vision of the 12-year national basic education syllabus, and experimental education allows children to choose the type of education suitable for their learning, which is of epoch-making value (Wu Qingshan, 2011; 2015 )

Principal’s leaderships

The principal's leadership action means that in the context of education, the principal uses different duties and roles, puts the educational concept into action,

exerts influence on the school members, and selects appropriate management model to achieve the behavioral model of education and school goals The following describes the “change leadership” and “transformation leadership” that apply to experimental schools in the following schools:

1 Change Leadership

Leaders attempt to create a successful community, and to continue to make meaningful changes It is a kind of ability to grasp creative tension The energy

of the tension comes from the fact that people clearly put forward a vision and do their best to clarify the truth They will actively seek change and know how to find

a change plan that is suitable for both inside and outside the organization (Peter Durac, 2005) Specific actions of change leadership include: establish successful change guidelines, be consistent words and deeds, set up a team for reform, establish a vision for determining direction, and make changes and members of the organization create a relationship and integrate members They will stimulate morale and deepen the organizational change culture

2 Transformational leadership

It was proposed by Burns that the leaders should use their charisma to guide their development They should be forward-looking to develop the common vision

of the members of the organization, and through the stimulating and guiding methods, members should be able to spontaneously perform themselves and promote the completion of their organizational goals Four levels of transformation guidance (Lin Jinfu, 2003): Charisma, inspirational, Individualized consideration, and intellectual stimulation

In summary, the researcher believes that the principal's leadership is a good example of the success or failure of education There are different ways of directing different situations However, he emphasizes the personal characteristics

of personal behavior, and sets out a common vision for human development The process will gradually create organizational goals

The analysis of case school

Status of "School Experimental Education" in Taichung City

The Taichung Bureau of Education creates the opportunity to develop the city's unique educational style and provide schools with innovative education It

is intensifying its efforts to create a public school experimental education school

in Taichung City From 2015, the Education Bureau has launched the

school-type experimental education school project to develop response measures to formulate the “Measures for School-Type Experimental Education in Taichung City Governmental City Designated Schools” and the Taichung City School Foundation and otherr non-profit corporations The private legal entity applied for permission to apply for school-type experimental education”, which was implemented in February of 2016, will have more flexibility and space to introduce experimental education in schools to respond to the diversified needs of the society and promote the diversified development of education and implement education reforms

During the period, the Bureau of Education continued to arrange for a variety

of seminars and community public hearings, collect some schools and residents with special development courses and to participate in research and persuasion The selection of teachers for the experimental schools, adjustment of teachers, and professional manpower adjustment, the preparatory issues such as student transfer placement, school district enrollment, and cooperative learning thrift subsidy have been discussed thoroughly and have been initially discussed In

2015, 3 public school experimental schools were approved The research object was established with the application of the eco- outdoor education experience school After communicating with the community and the concept of the trend of the teachers in the school, the experimental education program was developed to specify the educational philosophy and program features Courses and teaching plans, administrative operations, organizational forms, student enrollment, learning achievement assessment, student affairs and counselling methods, and expected admission of students are sent to the “Taichung School Experimental Education Review Committee” for approval After implementation, and formally implemented on August 1, 2016 We expected that under the transformation of experimental characteristics courses and the activation of teaching activities, school education in various districts of Taichung City will be continuously innovated and developed

Analysis of the background of the principal

Experience and expertise

When she was a teacher, she had a special interest in natural sciences and outdoor exploration education She taught the students attending the Science Exhibition every year and won great results Experience exploration and ecological navigation are her specialties She has served the school for five

years and actively develops her own personal experience and promotes the development of experimental education in the case school Combined with an ecologically advantageous environment, she tried to build the school to be the travel-study center and eco-exploration experimental school in Taichung City

In addition, she also liked the homeland investigation She had editted the city-based textbooks and the traditional art of native language courses, making them

an official course “To build a humanistic environment based on all love and care, and to implement students as the main body of the school” is the educational mission of the school headmaster We are able to make good use of the elements

of nature, humanities, and local elements, and try to stimulate teachers to flip the concept of classrooms so that children are full of interested in learning, so that the community is full of confidence in the school, to reverse the weaknesses, and become a happy learning school I hope our school will become a practical experience school that allows students to naturally explore, love the country, and build their self-confidence

Experimental Education Concept

1 The learner is the main body

2 The principal's educational philosophy is to explore the whole person education of knowing and humane concern by the students After the curriculum is deconstructed and then unified, the school will break the constraints of section numbers and guide the students to explore through the course to learn the integrity Know how to learn the theme of group ageing Beyond the gap between urban and rural areas, there is the possibility of an overturn

3 Inventory resources and develop local experimental school curriculum

I want to reverse the fate of my school, so I used the school's SWOT analysis

to apply for school experimental education to change such a crisis In the planning

of school experimental education, curriculum planning will be carried out through the changes in school organization and community resources, such as the natural ecological education of the Jiuquanshan Mountain, Bat cave upstream courses, and the continuity and retention of the Taiping Yuantoutou culture Students study with autonomous axes There are three main points in experimental education One

is the exploration of students, the other is the care of students, the whole person education is the core, and the curriculum is deconstructed and then reorganized The experimental education curriculum breaks the boundaries between subject

and subject In the morning or in the afternoon, or even throughout the day, nature science instruction can be conducted Students can learn about the complete forest ecology, explore the subject by yourself and learn about the theme of the mixed age group (interview 0201-01)

Concept of managing a school

The school principal’s philosophy is “learning by doing”, “proactively explore” and “appropriate to enhance talents” to cultivate students who are healthy, happy-learning, creativity The concept of managing a school is as follows:

• Experiential learning is the key to good education Experience itself is the process of interaction between the subject of learning and the object that has been put in place Therefore, the method of education is to enable learners to experience, reflect, and generate practical motivation from activities

• The student is the main body and the teacher acts as a guide and facilitator The function of education is to cultivate learners' self-study ability The teacher's position is to guide and accompany the children in cultivating the ability with love, care and patience

• Appropriate and talented, so that talent is free Each child's critical period of growth is different, to explore the strengths of children, give them suitable expectations, and to create children's successful experience, we can cultivate her self-confidence, so that each child can adapt to develop their talents

• School vision and blueprint: Under the goal of “practical knowledge, various learning-community, ecological diversity, and character life”, consider magnet schools and charter schools in the United States; special schools The advantages of beacon schools are through the deconstruction

of curriculum and teaching innovation to build a vision of quality education that is "healthy, happy, innovative, and sustainable."

Leadership strategies and actions

Linitiate experimental education concept and establish value consensus

The principal's leadership influences the school and the community development At the beginning of the promotion of experimental education, the principal handled the community discussion meeting and the school meeting, made the school plan clear and abolished the school crisis, advocated for the

concept of experimental education and the opportunity for transformation, the community people are aware that the school has been punished and has a sense

of crisis We hope the experimental school transformation will allow children to stay in community schools and continue to preserve their local culture (Interview 0201-02)

Rational analysis of school crisis and turning point

At the temporary school conference, I used the SWOTS to analysis school situation, crisis and the transformation opportunity I also conveyed the message that the Bureau of Education hopes and promises to transform schools into experimental education, that protected my school to continue four years, and it is also responsible for innovation and self-education in school transformation The opportunity to enhance learning through thematically integrated curriculum models can also increase the teaching profession of colleagues (Interview 0201-03)

Encourage teachers to be bold in trying to innovate and respect teachers’ willingness to stay.

Through formal or informal dialogues and listening to colleagues, most of my colleagues are unfamiliar and afraid to apply for experimental education They even expressed their unwillingness to engage in experimental education I completely respects all teachers’ willingness, and responds to the Education Bureau's whether the school teachers who deal with experimental education will be given priority

to mobilize more than otherrs, and then recruit teachers who are passionate about experimental education Even in the recruitment of the director and principal, experimental education can have other the institutional model is also a kind of assistance for promoting experimental education (Interview 0201-04)

To inventory internal and external resources, grasp the curriculum material

of experimental education.

• On-campus learning situation: The school was founded in 1946 and was a small, high-quality ecological environment The ancient trees in the schoolyard are home to many bird insects, colorful flowers and butterflies, the best field for breeding insects, and a quiet beauty corner The children's playground is a stage for reading, performing and free-talking The huge green playground is suitable for children to run freely and learn happily

• Community natural resources: The community has Jiutunshan, Tauxi Stream, Bat Cave, Tai-Ping farm, climbing-mountain pathway, ancient farm,