Quality In Gülen Inspired Schools-2

Students in many of Gülen inspired schools in Turkey, the Balkans, Europe, Africa, Central Asia and the Far East take top honors in university placement tests and consistently finish at the top in International Science Olympiads. The schools have produced a number of world champions, especially in mathematics, physics, chemistry, and biology. We will cover some of the factors that contribute to the success of the schools in offering a quality education to ethnically and religiously diverse students. 
Parental education not only influences parent-child interactions related to learning, but also affects parents’ income and need for help in the home or field — help that often comes at the expense of keeping children in school. In different part of the world parents in some communities may not always have the tools and background to support their children’s cognitive and psychosocial development throughout their school years. In recognition of parents’ level of education has a multifaceted impact on children’s ability to learn in school. Gülen inspired schools have been playing an important role in helping parents to enhance the ‘home curriculum’ and improve the quality of parental involvement in their children’s education. Strategies include, for example, partnering with Parent-Teacher organizations that can affect parenting. And, asking parents to participate in assessment of their child’s progress, offering clear, regular, non-threatening communication; and including parents in decision-making groups at the school.
In Gülen inspired schools, the curriculum has been developed to be child-centered and relevant, so the  instructional methods. Developed instruction methods have been helping students build on prior knowledge to develop attitudes, beliefs and cognitive skills; as well as expand their knowledge base.  The teachers are skilled not only in instructional methods, but also in evaluation and assessment practices that allow them to gauge individual student learning and adapt activities according to student needs. These processes include both performance assessment and assessment of factual knowledge. 
Professional development can help overcome shortcomings that may have been part of teachers’ pre-service education and keep teachers abreast of new knowledge and practices in the field. This ongoing training for teachers can have a direct impact on student achievement.
Physical learning environments or the places, in which formal learning occurs, have been always modern and well-equipped buildings. The effect of the quality of school facilities on students learning and morale is substantial.  Learning can occur anywhere, but the positive learning outcomes generally sought by educational systems happen in quality learning environments.
The quality of school buildings may be related to other school quality issues, such as the presence of adequate instructional materials and textbooks, working conditions for students and teachers, and the ability of teachers to undertake certain instructional approaches. Such factors as on-site availability of lavatories and a clean water supply, classroom maintenance, space and furniture availability all have an impact on the critical learning factor of time on task. 
In Gülen inspired schools one thing can be recognized that there have been welcoming and non-discriminatory climate for the students and parents. And, this is a very critical component for providing quality learning environment. 
Cemil Genc