INTERNATIONAL QUALITY EVALUATION RESOURCE FOR EDUCATION LEADERS (IQEREL) – AN EXAMPLE OF INTERNATIONAL PROJECT TO SUPPORT LEADERSHIP DEVELOPMENT FOR SELF-EVALUATION IN SCHOOLS

The paper presents the main aims of the project run jointly by universities from five European countries. The main focus of this project, launched in 2015 and ending in 2017, is to develop a virtual learning environment that will offer literature, resources, materials and case studies to support the school improvement agenda. This resource will also offer opportunities for discussion and forums on issues of joint educational interest to school leaders and encourage a network of European school leaders as it develops from initially being a tool for Master’s students on leadership programmes to something that school leaders and schools generally can access.

A key imperative underpinning the proposal for this project is a clear recognition of the need to attract, retain and support the highest calibre of educational leaders possible if we want to make our schools successful. We argue that such leaders have to be, on one hand, independent thinkers able to reflect on their own professional activities and, on the other hand, involved in networks discussing and developing professional knowledge both nationally and internationally. Such leaders have to be equipped with numerous competencies, with the ability to develop ways and methods of self-evaluation in schools as a core one. It is especially important as the today’s world of education is complex and uncertain and requires new leadership and management knowledge, skills and competencies to work within difficult potential tensions including greater collaboration in increasingly competitive international, national and local environments and flexibility and adaptability with a clear, resolute focus on the core purpose of education. Good self-evaluation can support development leading to a better ability to face such challenges.

At the same time it is important to underline that partners within the project promote such understanding of leadership development and practice that helps to build sustained improvement in schools on aspects of education that are not always considered in most external evaluation contexts, such as for example, safe learning environment, social justice and inclusion, care and belonging, children’s well-being, etc.

The paper presents the results of the first phase of the project that was focused on the preparation of a virtual learning environment which gives possibility to develop self-evaluation competencies in different areas important for school development compatible with educational values. The main areas of this virtual learning tool and its main functionalities are described showing their utility from the perspective of educational leaders.