Training in school evaluation methods is currently being provided to the Evaluation Institute’s school evaluation officers. The training is designed to further develop the skills and expertise of the school evaluation officers of the School Evaluation Office.

Mr Adel Al-Sayed, Director of the Evaluation Institute of the Supreme Education Council commissioned the training program. He recognises the key role that independent and professionally undertaken evaluation plays in ensuring that schools are properly held accountable for its sound operation and contribution to student learning outcomes.

The first phase of the program involves three-weeks of experiential and theoretical preparation provided by two senior education practitioners - one from York Education Solutions (YES), England and the other from Cognition Consulting Limited, New Zealand. It looks specifically at practice in the review and reporting of evidence-based judgements about selected critical areas of school functioning. Subsequent phases of the training will take place in early 2007.

Dr. Hamda Al-Sulati, the recently appointed Assistant Director of the Evaluation Institute, is supportive of the training and is keeping a keen eye on the program.

The main basis of the training is a comprehensive set of review materials and protocols developed by YES in conjunction with the School Evaluation Office. These protocols cover important aspects of schools and their functioning including areas such as student educational outcomes, social outcomes of schooling, school leadership, teacher development, teaching & pedagogy, parental involvement and student behaviour.

The approach to school evaluation, termed Qatar School Evaluation (QSE), is unique in that it is based on sound educational measurement principles, is strongly outcomes-focussed whilst takes cognisance of the special characteristics of Qatar school. Mrs. Aysha Al-Hashemi, Principal School Evaluation Officer within the School Evaluation Office has been instrumental in designing the review processes.

“The evaluation processes have been designed specifically to reflect the four pillars (of accountability, variety, choice and autonomy) on which Independent Schools are based and utilise the best of the established approaches from England, New Zealand and Australia”, she said.

Every three years each independent school will be the subject of a strategically targeted review of selected aspects of its functioning. Each Cohort 1 independent school (those which started in 2004) will be the subject of such a review this school year. Mrs. Al-Hashemi is confident that with the completion of the training, her officers will be well placed to undertake these reviews effectively and constructively.

Professional Development Team
Mr. Doug Lowes, Director, York Education Solutions, United Kingdom Ms. Mary Sinclair, Executive Director, Cognition Consulting Limited, New Zealand

School Evaluation Office Personnel
Principal School Evaluation Officer: Mrs. Aysha Al-Hashemi; School Evaluation Officers: Mrs. Amina Al-Obaidly, Mrs. Muneera Al-Maadheed, Mrs. Jawaher Al-Athbah, Mr. AbdulRahman Al-Hajiri, Mr. Salem Al-Ghawass, and Mr. AbdulAziz Mubarak. Translator :Mr Mohammed Hegazy