TEACHERS, PUPILS AND FAMILY: HOW TO JOIN EFFORTS. THE CASE STUDY IN «M. J. DE LARRA» SECONDARY SCHOOL

Abstract

Introduction. «Plan de Mejora», a 4-year Project to improve academic performance and lessen discipline problems, was first implemented in the year 2006. Method. They include: the signing of a contract by families, students and the school; closely monitoring the students to plan their work in a weekly-based calendar checked by tutors and assistant tutors; promoting partnership between home and school by reports being handed by teachers to tutors in the middle of each term so parents are promptly informed about their children’s work; keeping students on school detention for unsatisfactory piece of work, bad manners lateness at first period (a record of students’ absences is kept and parents are regularly informed), other nonacademic offences like untidiness and loudness in the corridors are also punished; an assistant tutor for each form to coordinate the work of the tutors and keep regular contact with students and parents to discuss concerns regarding their school performance and behaviour, and tutors meetings coordinated by deputy headmaster and assistant tutor carried out on a weekly-bases to discuss new measures and tutee’s needs. Results. The results were better than expected: a 10% of improvement was achieved in contrast with the 5% proposed, and a better learning atmosphere in the classroom, fewer discipline problems and a cleaner school were some of the consequences of our plan. Discussion. The results encourage us to continue implementing new measures for next year in the hope to make a contribution to help our students to meet their academic and personal goals in life.