Pedagogical Quality Management at DBST
The term PQM (Pedagogical Quality Management) at German schools abroad refers to a holistic theoretical model for school quality improvement that focuses on the quality of teaching and provides focal points for systematic quality development (ZfA-ABC). To implement this, the Steering Group consisting of representatives from all grades and committees of the school has been institutionalized at DBST since 2005. This body steers the school development processes and evaluates their implementation.
The steering group of the DBST consists of the following members:
Principal
Management
Head of International Department
PQM/ Head of Steering Group
Representative Upper School and Sek I
Student representative (SV)
Representative Parents' Council (EBV)
Representative Board
Representative Afternoon School
Representative Kindergarten
In addition to the appointed members, interested colleagues from all school areas can register annually at the beginning of the school year to work in the steering group. The guiding framework and starting point for successful PQM work are the mission statement and the school action plan of the DBST, which provide the basis and reference framework for the school development work. Within this frame of reference, and also based on feedback from external evaluations (2012 and 2018 federal-state inspection), school development priorities are established, discussed in steering group meetings, and piloted, revised, implemented, and subsequently evaluated within the school community as part of school development projects. Feedback on the status quo of the school development projects is provided in the regularly scheduled steering group meetings. The teaching staff is regularly informed about the school development processes in the context of the overall teacher conferences and, where necessary, questioned and involved. Colleagues can also obtain additional information from the steering group from the minutes of the sizings, which are digitally accessible to all on the server.
S. Davarpanah
Statutes of the DBST Steering Committee
- Meeting rhythm, meeting dates
The STG meets once a month. The duration of the meeting is max. 2 hours.
- Agenda / Minutes / Documentation and knowledge management
The invitation with the agenda is sent to all STG members by email one week before the meeting. Minutes will be taken for each meeting. The minutes will be emailed to all STG members no later than 1week after the respective STG meeting. If there are no objections to the minutes by the following meeting, the minutes will be approved at the next Steering Group meeting. Minutes, as well as all STG documents, will be filed in print in the DBST in the steering group folder and stored digitally on the PQM computer. A copy of the current minutes will be posted in the teacher's lounge on the PQM information board.
- Reporting and transparency
Representatives of the committees (EB, SV, Board, GLK) report to the STG from their committees and inform their committees about the work of the STG. Each STG meeting begins with a brief report from the committees. The current documents of the STG are posted on a PQM info board in the DBST.
- Appointment and handling of alternates
Committees shall designate an alternate for their STG members. All invitations, minutes, and documents handed out will be sent to all STG members, including alternates. The substitutes come to the STG meetings when the main members are unable to attend.
- Binding nature of agreements
Decisions are made in the STG by simple majority and are supported by all.
- Responsibilities (leadership, protocol, rules ....)
The PQM representative chairs the STG meeting. Minutes of each meeting are taken on the STG minutes form. Steering group members take minutes in alphabetical order.
- Rules of discussion and confidentiality
The discussion contributions are presented in the order in which they are reported. The participants of the STG present their contributions in brief. If necessary, the head of the STG limits the speaking time. No information will be disclosed to third parties outside of the minutes.
-Access to information
All members of the STG have access to the DBST tax group folder at the administration office. In addition, all STG documents are stored in a folder set up for all STG members on the school server.
- Partners / Support / Professionalization
The members of the STG try to develop themselves and take part in trainings to further professionalize themselves. The members of the STG and especially the steering group leadership are role models in the process of quality development. The STG takes advantage of advice and offers from the process facilitator.
- Establishment of working groups
The STG sets priorities in quality development according to the proposals of the SL and the GLK. It plans the implementation of the priorities (the school action plan), formulates assignments and sets up working groups (WGs).
- Conflict management / disturbances
Conflicts are addressed openly and are solution-oriented.
- Review of own work
The STG as well as the AGs review their own work at the end of the school year according to a template designed by the PQM officer and coordinated with the STG. The survey is conducted via the IQES portal.