According to Leitāne, approbation has been an important stage in the project, and the achievements of the pilot schools have made a significant contribution to the implementation of the improved curriculum and approach.
The task of the approbation was to test and evaluate in the daily practice of schools and pre-schools how it is possible to strengthen the models of work organization, various learning methods, including teacher cooperation, approbate the use of curriculum documents and sample teaching aids in schools, explained the project representative.
For two years, 100 schools of various sizes and types from different regions were involved in the approbation – from secondary schools, gymnasiums and state gymnasiums, pre-schools, primary and primary schools, as well as special schools.
Leitāne pointed out that a total of 1,700 pilot school teachers also took part in the training, testing subject curricula and teaching aids alongside them, as well as providing their recommendations for improving the curriculum and approach.
According to her, an e-course has been developed on the basis of the content of the professional development course for approbation school teams, which is available to every teacher, as well as an e-course for pre-school teachers.
Discussions on experience in pilot schools and recommendations are planned for the upcoming educational conference “Our school for every student” in Ādaži. Some of the topics will be about the different forms of work organization, analyzing the most effective ones and the benefits for the student, as well as about supporting students in classes of different sizes to provide quality support to each child.
Discussions are also expected on how to bring change to life in schools of different sizes, analyzing change both as a process and as a result of change, as well as on the biggest challenges in changing the emphasis of evaluation.
Discussions will also address the issue of parental involvement, as well as cooperation with parents in rural and urban areas.
According to Leitāne, the main idea of the conference is that a school for every child is a school where every child, regardless of their abilities, skills, interests and character, can feel safe and receive support to learn.
It is planned that the President of Latvia Egils Levits, as well as the Minister of Education and Science Ilga Šuplinska (JKP) will also take part in the event.
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