If the education wanted to be simplified, it can be se seen as a predetermined process where three major components interact with in a certain duration of time at a commonly accepted place. Student, family and the teacher are the three major components and the school is the common ground where the interaction takes place. And the success of the school system is pretty much depending on the collaboration and the harmony of the three main components.
Part of my job is to interact with HS students on Higher education alternatives in the USA. I am one of those lucky ones who had the chance to visit different countries and met with students, parents, teachers along with local officers, in public and private school establishments. I have had opportunity, to give seminars in more than 30 HS in 4 different countries where 30% of them were Gulen inspired schools. Majority of the schools have been (whether private or public) were the prestigious ones. I have seen Gulen inspired schools are sharing some common characteristics and this article is about them. Gulen inspired schools always successful graduation rates and placement of their students. And the question is why?
All the schools I have been so far were fulfilling the same role in the society by utilizing similar educational resources and in similar environments. The text books, teachers’ credentials and facilities were not that much different from each other. Some school systems vastly underinvested in human capital and resource development. As Anthony Seldon [1] has argued that the education system has turned schools into exam factories where testing becomes the primary lever of accountability and improvement. In Gulen inspired schools student are not only very competitive in testing, but also they share strong moral values as well. So, how Gulen schools perform better?
Before proving a short answer o this question, I would like take a closer look at the simplified education process model mentioned at the beginning and focus to performance of the overall system where all there major parties ( Student, Parent and Teacher) are involved.
Many studies have shown a strong correlation between parent involvement and a child's success in school [2]. Overall, the studies showed parent involvement to have a positive effect on the achievement of students. In some cultures, parent’s involvement into the child education does no go beyond than being the communicator between school and the child, in some other cultures parent has nothing to do with learning part but, has place as supporter of the school activities and in some other societies parent are the home activities teacher. Gulen inspired schools are scattered in different part of the world where social and cultural values are different of each other, and regardless of the societies they are in, Gulen schools have been very successful in establishing strong relationship with the parents. So, how Gulen schools have accomplish this important section of the education?
As Prof. Richard Elmore from Harvard University , has stated “relationship of the student to the teacher” is one of the key parameters to improve the performance of the schools. [3]. My perception is students in the Gulen inspired schools have developed better relationships with school administrators and the teachers. In comparison with the other schools, students are tend to be more respectful to their teacher than private schools I have visited so far.
The difference is Trust
What I have perceived was Gulen inspired schools have been successful to built trust in their relationship amount, students and parents. A trust which is based on selflessness, honesty and respect is the corner stone of their success.
References
[1] http://www.independent.co.uk/opinion/commentators/dr-anthony-seldon-education-goes-beyond-exams-1924368.html
[2] Greenwood, G. E., & Hickman, C. W. (1991). Research and practice in parent involvement: Implications for teacher education. The Elementary School Journal, 91, 278-288.
[3] http://www.uknow.gse.harvard.edu/leadership/leadership001a.html
[3] http://www.edenprairienews.com/news/city-news/survey-results-show-trust-gap-between-teachers-administration-106
