Classified "A" by ANVUR in the fields 11/D1, 11/D2 Scientific in the field 14.
Abstract
A profound change is needed in Education as response to demands set by 21st century competences. Due to these modifications, new opportunities arise for remodeling pedagogy too, for instance providing new ways of considering learning, i. e. the acquisition of new kinds of literacy, namely cross-cultural, ecological and IT literacy. At a theoretical level, these demands require a shift from focusing on engagement in school to engagement in learning. Therefore, this paper describes the core design principles that underlies the school innovation and we outlines the two things that we recommend are measured when assessing school effects and supporting their improvement: leadership practices and student outcomes. School principals are responsible for their own institute, but no assessment framework or evaluation system can measure all the actions actually realized. An innovative idea about schooling must consider that school evaluation has to be measured through: (1) the actions taken by principals in order to achieve higher success rate in their school and (2) the degree to which a school has effect on outcome improvements of the students. Consequently, it is possible to denote these two aspects as “educational practice” and “learning outcomes”. These categories encompass the actions of principals and the most important results of school tasks.
