2024 NITS and GU Graduate School of Education Collaborative Training Session 'Leadership Training Utilizing Evidence to Create a Positive School Culture'

On Tuesday, August 20, 2024, the Gifu University Graduate School of Education, in collaboration with the National Institute for School Teachers and Staff Development (NITS), held a leadership training session titled 'Utilizing Evidence to Create a Positive School Culture.' The training was attended by Mr. HATTORI Kazuya, Superintendent of Yamagata City Board of Education, along with 25 principals and teachers from 12 elementary and junior high schools.

With the increase in school absenteeism, bullying, and children requiring special support, it has become an urgent task for school administrators to collaborate with teachers to create a positive school culture where diverse children can learn safely. School-wide Positive Behavioral Supports (PBS) are gaining attention as evidence-based knowledge and information to solve these issues. This is a system approach that establishes the social culture and individual behavioral support necessary to make the school a safe and effective learning environment for all children.

In Yamagata City, Gifu Prefecture, a school-wide PBS has been incorporated in the educational promotion plan, and efforts are being made in all schools in the city. To reflect on these efforts and achievements so far, it was decided to hold a training session for administrators on how to utilize evidence.

In the first training session, participants reflected on the efforts of each school, considered ways to further enhance these efforts, and shared their thoughts by referring to lectures and practices of model schools. Mr. Hattori stated, "While the practice of praising children is providing children with a sense of security, there is room for growth in having children act on their own and realize the benefits. This is where the use of evidence might be meaningful." Participating principals shared opinions such as, "It is important for principals to organize how to use evidence for school management for the growth of children," "Knowing the evidence seems to lead to practice," and "We can consider using evidence in partnership with small schools." These discussions clarified specific directions for future educational activities.

We will implement the enhancement measures discussed in this training and present and evaluate the results in the follow-up training in December. We hope that the results will shed some lights on how administrators can utilize evidence for school management and education for children.