抄録
The purpose of this study is to identify issues related to school appraisal systems and teachers' appraisal, finding the means to improve school quality and heighten teachers' professional quality given the policy trends for autonomous schools in Japan. With this research focus, we could find several key issues for research concerning the introduction of an appraisal system in educational administration : 1. When we intend to introduce a school appraisal system and teachers' appraisal, we must clarify the strata and fields of appraisal and identify who should be responsible for such appraisal. For example, we should distinguish four strata of school appraisal corresponding to school vision, school strategy, operational effectiveness, and tactics. We note, however, that questions on who should be responsible for which areas will be different depending upon the identification of the appraisal stratum. 2. The inevitable reasons and clear intentions of the introduction of such an appraisal system for school improvement and for the professional growth of teachers must be clarified in comparison with other tactics for school improvement and the professional growth of teachers. 3. The relationship of a school appraisal system and teachers' appraisal with resource allocations should also be clarified. For example, the problem of the relationship of school appraisal with school budget allocation or the relationship of teachers' appraisal with teachers' salary schedules should be carefully considered. 4. The methods and techniques of school appraisal or teachers' appraisal are also important themes to be clarified. Important issues when we intend to introduce a school appraisal system or teachers' appraisal are the objectivity, fairness, and adequacy of such tactics. This is especially so when there is a close relationship between such appraisal and resource allocations. How to secure objectivity, fairness, and adequacy are delicate issues. Another fundamental issue we must tackle should also be kept in mind: the theme of a vision of the structure of school organization and a vision of the teaching profession corresponding to the introduction of a school appraisal system and teachers' appraisal.
