Note on the Characteristics of Japanese School Evaluation:

Seven factors obstructing successful implementation

抄録

This note describes the current trend of school evaluation in Japan, points out its characteristics, and considers what is wanted. Starting with a broad overview of the system of school evaluation, this note will introduce the idea that school evaluation has functioned more poorly than expected, and the note will describe seven specific factors that may have obstructed the successful implementation of school evaluation. These seven factors are: 1) a lack of accurate understanding of the meaning of the Japanese word “evaluation”; 2) school evaluation not linked to schools’ goals; 3) poor indicators for evaluation; 4) evaluation results not utilized for school improvement; 5) an absence of appropriate evaluators or coordinators; 6) a lack of training courses; and 7) poor funding. These issues do not appear in all Japanese schools, and every factor requires further investigation; however, this note provides the hypothetical characteristics of typical Japanese schools. Researchers may be able to share tentative conclusions for comparison between school evaluation systems as they are implemented in other countries.