Quality School Improvement Project (QSIP) Introduction

About QSIP

The Quality School Improvement Project (QSIP), established in 1998 by the Hong Kong Institute of Educational Research (HKIER) of The Chinese University of Hong Kong (CUHK), endeavours to provide professional support for school improvements.  Over the years, QSIP has evolved from a project-based programme to a school support organization that launches different programmes under the auspices of the Education Bureau as well as business sectors and private foundations. Besides, QSIP also tailor-makes self-financing programmes for individual schools and educational organizations. Since its establishment, QSIP has served more than 600 local schools including primary and secondary schools, kindergartens and special schools. The coverage of professional development services has even extended to the schools in the Mainland, Macau and Taiwan.

Objectives and Features of Our Support

Comprehensive School Improvement

The professional support offered by QSIP is based on the rationale of Comprehensive School Improvement.

 

Our work can be divided into "macro" and "micro" levels. "Macro" level support, also known as "Big Wheel" programme, aims at analysing school context and formulating future development, in order to establish a self-improving system based on teamwork and create a favorable culture. "Micro" level support, also known as "Small Wheel" programme, aims at strengthening teachers’ professional capacity and students’ learning effectiveness through actions and collaborations that enhance teaching and learning as well as student development. Through the complimentary interactions of "Big Wheel" and "Small Wheel" support, school improvement can be fostered continuously and effectively.

School-based Development

QSIP believes that every school is unique, and there is no one-size-fits-all formula for school improvement. The QSIP team is often described as “School Doctor” by our partner schools because our suggested action plans are based on context and needs analysis. Before initiating an action plan, the School Development Officers carefully diagnose the needs of each partner school by various means, including but not limited to studying its historical development, mission and vision, organisational culture as well as teacher and student characteristics.

Empowerment through Holistic Approach

QSIP tailor-makes holistic plans of supports on 'points' (helping teachers internalise professional learning), 'lines' (establishing collegiality which enhances teachers' professional capacity) and 'planes' (establishing self-improving mechanism and culture conducive to improvement) to empower comprehensive school improvement.

A Critical Mass of Expertise

Under the objective of comprehensive school improvement, the QSIP team comprises a critical mass of experienced School Development Officers (SDOs) with rich knowledge and professional expertise in various KLAs and aspects of the education field. Our SDOs are former teacher trainers of EDB and teacher education institutions, experienced frontline practitioners including principals, middle managers and proficient teachers of different KLAs, or experts in the education sector and other areas, which complements theory and practice. For more details about our team, please visit here.