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Dialogic supports the Platform Bèta Techniek in the development and implementation of the Bèta Excellent programme (successor to the Universum programme). It aims to encourage excellent and highly gifted students in secondary education. Aside from focusing on very good and truly smart vwo'ers, Bèta Excellent also aims to promote excellence in havo, vmbo, and practical education - encompassing not just cognitive excellence but excellence in other areas such as sports, music, and culture. The programme also focuses on themes like beta technology, language & mathematics, as well as more process-oriented themes such as professionalization and outcome-oriented work.
The selected 250 secondary schools have all been visited by the expert committee for discussions during open days. Simultaneously, schools in the Bètapartners and JCU (Junior College Utrecht) network participated in an electronic meeting session. The aim of this intake was to take stock: what are the schools currently doing regarding policy themes, what do they see as the biggest challenges, what are good practices, and what elements for successful innovation on one of the policy themes can they bring to the table?
The outcome of this - extensive - operation has been compiled into a database set up by Dialogic that serves as a tool to make the status of the 250 schools transparent. Additionally, Dialogic has analysed the results of this kick-off exercise and documented them in the publication "Bèta Excellent out of the starting blocks???"
Key findings include:
– National policies still have little influence on the policies schools implement on the mentioned themes.
– Schools often find national objectives to be so broadly formulated that they are difficult to translate into operational school goals. Especially in the theme of Excellence, schools question the focus, realism, and validity of the specified indicators.
– If schools are active on the policy themes, this is mainly reflected in activities; there is often a lack of structural use of indicators and tools to support the process, measurement, and outcome-oriented approach.
– In the themes of Beta technology and Language & Mathematics, secondary schools are most advanced in terms of policy development and impact measurement.
– Challenges in Beta technology include the need for greater transition to higher beta technical education, more collaboration with businesses, a focused approach for havo students, and better utilization of the potential for girls in beta subjects. Considering the demand in the job market and decreasing enrollment, there is an ongoing urgent need for technology stimulation in vmbo technology.
– In terms of Excellence, schools are involved in many activities, but these are often more focused on differentiation and talent development broadly rather than on the top 20% of vwo'ers. Vision, strategy, and outcome orientation are often lacking.
– The challenge in Professionalization lies in better linking HR policies and training to school policies, as well as more targeted and structural use of indicators and tools.
– Many schools are unfamiliar with the criteria for Outcome-Oriented Work (from the Education Inspectorate). Schools are monitoring their performances more than before and attempting to steer accordingly, but there is often a lack of an integrated approach - focusing on the school level, teachers, and students.
For more information, contact: Rob Bilderbeek (bilderbeek@dialogic.nl)