School Consulting & Evaluation

We understand the unique opportunities as well as challenges facing children and schools working in diverse cultural contexts today. Our mission is to support international schools and families living abroad, with exceptional educational resources. Our consultants are trained in empirical school evaluation, school management, and organizational development. 

 

Our consulting practices are rooted in four principles:

 

• We take a strengths-oriented approach to all problems, building on existing expertise and assets when helping a school tackle its challenges.

• We listen closely to the valuable perspectives of parents and students.

• We strongly believe in the power of teachers, knowing that educators deeply want to understand how they can ensure success for each child in their classroom. 

• We use the lens of social justice and human rights to guide much of our work and build consensus in school communities as they grow and learn.
   

Culture and Language

 

In international schools, not only do students come from around the globe, but teachers stem from various types of training systems and cultures, as well. Therefore, it is essential to take linguistic, cultural, and pedagogical differences into account when looking at school practices and structures. Our expertise in international education helps us to understand the special circumstances related to supporting different types of learners and teachers in multicultural settings. When working with an international school, we always try to offer communication in the language of the host country, in addition to English, whenever possible.

 

Evaluation

 

Our approach to school evaluation is dual pronged. On one hand, we firmly believe in using the wide body of empirical literature and examples of best practice around the world to inform decisions. In addition to academic research we draw heavily on findings and practices from international associations with whom we hold memberships, such as the Next Frontier Inclusion, the International Association of School Psychologists, and the European Council of International Schools. 

 

On the other hand, every school is unique and requires an individualized investigation into what the stakeholders envision, what current excellent practices can be built upon, and what is still missing. It is imperative for the key players to identify and develop structures and systems that work within the culture of the school. The evaluation process is designed to be fully participatory by collecting both qualitative and quantitative information from all perspectives within the school community in order to capture a school’s special strengths and unique needs.

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