Self-evaluation at South San Francisco High School

Abstract

I have chosen to entitle this long essay Self-Evaluation at South San Francisco High School as I intend to examine the report 'SSFHS Focus on Learning Self-Study' (2000) published by this school after it conducted its self-evaluation. In his long essay 'Monitoring School Effectiveness - The South San Francisco High School Experience', Mario A. Azzopardi examined 'Focus on Learning', how it operates and its application at SSFHS. Since I visited the same school, I intend to report on the final document 'SSFHS Focus on Learning Self-Study'. I believe that to fully appreciate the report by SSFHS on its own self-evaluation it is imperative to be familiar with the whole concept of Self-Evaluation as it is currently practiced in schools in Europe. This is because locally it is the European perspective which affects and also is of significance to the Maltese Educational context. The European educational scene is essential for the local context as it is in turn indirectly derived and influenced by among others, the American educational practices. It is unequivocally crucial that in the local ambiance of Education we constantly keep ourselves up to date with what leading countries are doing. In this way we can glean what is fit for our educational context with consideration to our social, economic and cultural circumstances. In Chapters 1 &2 I have seen fit to explain, elaborate and report on the concept and practice of school Self-Evaluation as it currently stands in the local and European scene. Also, I chose to preamble on Decentralisation, Autonomy and School Management and other concurrent procedures within the local education system as these are the foundations of the concept of Self-Evaluation. Besides, in the case of SSFHS Autonomy and School Management are institutionalized as is the self-evaluation practice. In Chapters 3&4 I have sought to put into words what I have experienced at SSFHS and translate it to extract from the experience ideas and practices which I can apply as an administrator in a local secondary school. Also, I have explained the self-evaluation report of SSFHS as I genuinely believe that in the local context it is forever an advantage to know what others have done and are doing and learn from them.