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A Differentiated Supervision Model 1

A Differentiated Supervision Model for Saudi Schools

EDCI 691

A Master Research Project

Presented to Dr. Ralph Martin

Department of Teacher Education

College of Education

Ohio University

In Partial fulfillment of the requirements for the Degree Master of Education in

Supervision

Rashid Abdulkareem
A Differentiated Supervision Model 2

Table of Contents

CHAPTER ONE: INTRODUCTION............................................................................4

The Problem...................................................................................................................5

The Paper’s Question.....................................................................................................6

The Procedure ............................................................................................................6

Limitations .....................................................................................................................6

Definition ...................................................................................................................7

Differentiated Supervision .............................................................................................7

Summary ..................................................................................................................10

CHAPTER TWO: DIFFERENTIATED SUPERVISION...........................................11

Components of Differentiated Supervision .............................................................11

Intensive development .........................................................................................11

Cooperative Professional Development...............................................................13

Self-directed development ...................................................................................14

Rationale ..................................................................................................................14

Teaching is a profession.......................................................................................14

The organization ..................................................................................................14

Supervisors cannot do everything alone ..............................................................15

Individual differences among teachers ................................................................15

CHAPTER THREE: SUPERVISION IN SAUDI SCHOOLS....................................17

Supervisory System in Saudi Schools: Background................................................17

Refreshing Programs................................................................................................17

In-service Training...................................................................................................18
A Differentiated Supervision Model 3

Supervisory activities...............................................................................................19

Principals’ Role in Staff development .....................................................................20

CHAPTER FOUR: A SUGGESTED MODEL ...........................................................21

The options of the model .....................................................................................32

Intensive development .........................................................................................32

Cooperative Professional Development...............................................................35

Self-Directed Development .................................................................................38

CHAPTER FIVE: CONCLUSION AND RECOMMENDATIONS ..........................43

References................................................................................................................44
A Differentiated Supervision Model 4

CHAPTER ONE: INTRODUCTION

For many years educators have been searching for new methods and approaches for

effective supervision of teachers. These methods and approaches vary according to the

different views of teaching, teachers, and the process of supervision itself. When the

teachers were poorly prepared, and the process of teaching was viewed as a process of

transmitting certain amount of information for a certain method of teaching, supervision

was a type of strict and tough inspection. The assumption was that the supervisor’s job

was to find all the mistakes that teachers did in the classroom (Daresh and Playko, 1995).

Finding mistakes was, then, the way for improving instruction.

The clinical supervision is influenced by the behaviorist view of focusing on the

external behaviors and planning for modifying them. The supervisor monitors the teacher

while teaching, gathers information about his external behavior, and discusses with him

the effective ways to modify them (Cogan 1973). Glickman’s developmental approach is

affected by the developmental theorists such as Erickson and Piaget (Glatthorn, 1990).

The teachers are assigned to the type of supervision that suits them based on their

developmental stage. Supervisors working with teachers at a low level of conceptual

development should be directive, with those at a moderate level collaborative, and with

those at a high level, nondirective (Glickman et. al., 1998).

Differentiated Supervision is among the latest approaches of supervision.

Differentiated Supervision aims to carefully consider the individual differences among

teachers, on one hand, and the human relations between the supervisor and the teachers,

on the other. Thus it gives the teachers the opportunity to choose the kind of supervision

they want (Glatthorn, 1990).


A Differentiated Supervision Model 5

All the different approaches and models of supervision, basically, aim at the

ultimate goal of supervision: improving instruction. Improving instruction, which

eventually improves the students’ outcomes, is the backbone of every supervisory

system. Saudi Arabia is not an exception in this field. Supervision in Saudi Arabia, like

other countries, suffers from many difficulties in achieving its goals. According to

Starratt (1997) “there is no research that shows that supervision, as it is generally

practiced, results in substantial and sustained changes in teachers’ teaching”(p.6).

Many models have been implemented, but still the situation needs more effort for

reform. Problems such as lack of mutual trust between supervisors and teachers, tension

in relationship between them, poor staff development programs, ritual supervisory

activities, to mention few, are common in the school environment. The supervision field

needs a supervision model that can integrate the advantages of the other models and at

the same time avoid their shortcomings.

The Problem

As a relatively new country, Saudi Arabia looks forward to benefiting from other

countries’ experiences in the field of educational supervision. Supervisors in Saudi

schools do not have a certain approach for supervision. In fact most of them do their job

without even clear well-defined goals. Although the situations in schools and regions

vary a lot, they all, almost, do the same, within the general guidelines that are mandated

from the Ministry of Education. Thus, supervisory practices, in great part of it, are built

of personal experiences and experimentations. Because supervisors usually are appointed

without any prior preparation, the quality of their work heavily relies on their personal

abilities and qualifications, and, in many cases, on their willingness to work. Some
A Differentiated Supervision Model 6

research studies have found a strong support from teachers and supervisors for the need

to revise the supervision system in Saudi Arabia. (Adwani, 1981, Al-Tuwaijri 1985)

For the first look, differentiated supervision has a potential ability to solve most of

the supervision problems more than any other model. The problem of this paper is

identifying the essential parts of the Differentiated Supervision and developing a model

suitable for schools in Saudi Arabia.

The Paper’s Question

This paper is an attempt to answer the following questions:

1. What is the differentiated supervision as it was presented by Allan Glatthorn,

and what is the rationale behind it?

2. To what extent might it be helpful for the supervisory system/practices in Saudi

Arabia?

The Procedure

This paper is going to present Glatthorn’s model of differentiated supervision. This

will include a literature review for the main sources of that model. Then, it will, briefly,

demonstrate the current supervisory system in Saudi Arabia. A concise critique, then, will

be made, pointing out the main problematic areas that should be considered in developing

the suggested model. Finally, it will suggest a differentiated supervision model that

responds to the needs and fits the situation in the Saudi schools.

Limitations

This paper is concerned with the differentiated supervision as it was presented by

Allan Glatthorn in his books:

Gladthorn, Allan A. (1984). The Differentiated Supervision. Alexandria: ASCD.


A Differentiated Supervision Model 7

Gladthorn, Allan A. (1997). The Differentiated Supervision. Alexandria: ASCD.

Gladthorn, Allan A. (1990). Supervisory Leadership: Introduction to Instructional

Supervision. Glenview: Scott, Foresman and Company.

In-depth critique of this model or of the supervisory system in Saudi schools is

beyond the scope of this paper.

Definition

Differentiated Supervision

Differentiated Supervision was first proposed by Allan Glatthorn (Glatthorn 1984).

It “is an approach to supervision that provides teachers with options about the kinds of

supervisory and evaluative services they receive.” (Glatthorn, 1997, p. 3) The basic

premise in differentiated supervision is quite simple: Different circumstances and

different teachers require different approaches. (Daresh and Playko, 1995) In

differentiated supervision, as Glatthorn emphasizes, the term “supervisor” denotes any

professional providing the supervision services, including supervisors, principals, or

experts peers (Glatthorn, 1997). This broad view of supervision presents it as process

rather than a job. The supervisor, from this perspective, is not only the one who is in the

position of “supervision”, but also any one who practices the process of supervision.

Literature Review

Differentiated supervision is, relatively, a new concept. Thus, books and studies that

discussed it are few. It was proposed as a supervision model by Allan Glatthorn in the

first edition of his book Differentiated Supervision (1984). In this book the author

proposed four options for teachers’ professional development:

1. The clinical supervision,


A Differentiated Supervision Model 8

2. Cooperative Professional development, which is a process of collegial

collaboration for the improvement of instruction,

3. Self-directed development, a process in which a teacher works independently,

directing his or her own professional growth.

4. Administrative Monitoring, a brief and informal observation by a principal.

In his book Supervisory Leadership (1990), in chapters 8, 9, and 10, he modified

the model to have only three options, which he called them “components”:

1. Intensive development, which is in fact a version of clinical supervision.

2. Cooperative development

3. Self-directed development.

In the second addition of The Differentiated Supervision (1997) the model seems to

appear in his full picture. The author gives the foundation for the differentiated

supervision including the rationale behind it. In the book the author presents two options

for his model: the developmental option and the evaluative option. Then the book

demonstrates in details its three components of the developmental option. At the end of

the book the author provides the readers with “a process approach” in which each school

or district develop its own model.

In his dissertation Differentiated Supervision Revisited: Towards the Development

of an Effective Supervisory Model to Promote Teacher Growth and instructional

Improvement, (1998) Jerry Jailall tried to “provide a foundation for an effective model of

differentiated supervision, by determining the extent to which schools and school systems

have implemented some form of differentiated supervision, and then assessing the factors

that seems to have influenced its success or lack of success” (p. 89). In this study, data
A Differentiated Supervision Model 9

were obtained through the use of surveys, follow-up interviews, and review of written

materials provided by the responding school systems. The sample of the study included

28 systems in 16 states in the United States. (Jailall, 1998)

The following are the main findings of this study:

At least 28 schools and districts in 16 states are using some form of the

differentiated supervision.

The most important factors in the success of the cooperative professional

development option in the differentiated supervision were:

1. teacher input in program development

2. effective program design

3. high motivation of teachers

4. district support for the program.

For the self-directed option the factors were:

1. teachers’ input in the program

2. district support for the program

3. quality leadership at the school

4. maturity and skill of teacher

5. support from the school culture

6. effective program design.

The study suggests that, overall, the model was successful and considered by the

schools as satisfactory.

Ninety six percent of the respondent principals and supervisors believed that the

self-directed option is moderately to highly successful in improving instruction. Seventy


A Differentiated Supervision Model 10

nine percent of the respondents believed that the cooperative professional development

was moderately to highly effective in improving instruction.

Summary
Supervision, in its constant effort and struggle to achieve its ultimate goal, has gone

through different stages and appeared in varied approaches. Each approach focused on an

aspect that it believed to be the most important in developing the instructional process.

Supervision in Saudi Arabia has been passing through the same phases. The

differentiated supervision model of Glathtorn has the potential to serve in facilitating the

supervisory system in Saudi schools. The brief literature review shows that this model is

successful in some American schools. The question that this paper will try to explore is

what is the differentiated supervision model and how it can help in developing the

supervisory practices in Saudi schools. This is what the focus of the following chapters

will be.
A Differentiated Supervision Model 11

CHAPTER TWO: DIFFERENTIATED SUPERVISION

Components of Differentiated Supervision

The underlying feature, and may be the main advantage, of the differentiated model

of supervision is that it provides the teacher and the supervisor with ample variety of

choices in developing the teacher and solving the teaching problems. The differentiated

approach offers the teachers a choice from among these options: intensive development,

cooperative development, and self-directed development.

Intensive development

It is a modified form of clinical supervision, where the teacher undergoes an

intensive process of observing and modifying classroom behaviors. It is usually provided

to nontenured teachers and the tenured teachers who have serious classroom problems.

Glatthorn states three differences between the clinical supervision and the intensive

development.

a. Clinical supervision focuses on teaching methods, while intensive development

concentrates on learning outcomes.

b. Usually clinical supervision is used with all teachers, but the intensive

development it is used with those who need it.

c. The standard model of clinical supervision depends on one method of

observation followed by analysis and conference. The intensive development

uses different types of observation tools. (Glatthorn 1997, p. 38)

The Components of the Intensive Development

The intensive development option goes through eight steps. (Glatthorn, 1997)
A Differentiated Supervision Model 12

• Taking-stock conference. The teacher and the supervisor discuss the matters

related to their work together. According to Glatthorn, this step is optional.

• Pre-observation conference. In this conference both the teacher and the

supervisor review the plan of the lesson to be observed and decide the purpose of the

observation.

• Diagnostic Observation. The supervisor observes the teacher to collect data

about the meaningful classroom interactions, in order to determine the teacher’s weak

and strong points. The students’ outcomes are a key issue in determining what to record

of the classroom activities. Video recording will be an influential means.

• Analysis of diagnostic Observation. Both, the teacher and the supervisor,

individually or collectively, analyze the data. The analysis should be in a holistic way.

The supervisor “should tentatively identify the nonteacher factors that might have

influenced the classroom performance and the teacher’s strength that can be built upon,

as well as assess the needs that should become the focus of the developmental process”

(p. 46).

• Diagnostic Debriefing. The teacher and the supervisor analyze the lesson

and reflect on its importance for improvement.

• Coaching Session. In this meeting the teacher and the supervisor agree on

method of coaching certain skills that seemed to need improvement through the

diagnostic process.

• Focus Observation. An observation that focuses on a specific skill.

• Focused Debriefing Conference. A conference that reviews and analyzes the

findings of the focused observation.


A Differentiated Supervision Model 13

These are the steps of the intensive development as stated by Glatthorn (1997). It is

clear that they are a modification or a new version of the circle of the clinical supervision.

Some steps can be easily merged with the other.

Cooperative Professional Development

Glatthorn (1997) defines it as “a process of fostering teachers’ development through

systematic peer collaboration” (p. 56).

Forms of Cooperative Development

Professional dialogues

Professional dialogues are structured discussions of professional issues designed to

raise the level of teachers’ cognition.

Curriculum development

Curriculum development is a collaborative enterprise among teachers by which

they suggest some modification or create certain elements that fill the gaps in the

curriculum (Glatthorn, 1990). Teachers are the closest people to the curriculum, and their

views must be considered in developing or implementing the curriculum.

Peer coaching

In this form, a group of teachers agrees to observe each other according to specific

plan. After the cycle of observations the teachers meet to analyze the data and suggest the

following remedial steps.

Action research

According to Glatthorn (1997) action research, or teacher research, is a systematic

inquiry by practitioners into issues of educational practice, designed to deepen

understanding and lead to interventions.


A Differentiated Supervision Model 14

Self-directed development

Glatthorn (1997) defines it as “a professional development process in which

teachers work independently to foster their growth” (p. 70). This option is intended to suit

the experienced competent teachers, who usually prefer to work on their own to develop

themselves. Their professional development comes mainly through personal initiatives.

“A teacher sets one or more growth goals for the year, develops a plan to achieve the

goals, carries out the plan, and assesses and reports on progress. The supervisor plays a

supportive role and does not take an active or controlling part.” (Glatthorn 1997, p. 71)

Rationale

Glatthorn (1997) states four arguments as a rationale for the differentiated

supervision.

Teaching is a profession

Teaching should be seen as a profession, not a craft. The teachers should not wait

for the supervisor who always has the solutions for the teacher’s problem. “Teacher

should have more control over their professional development, within generally accepted

professional standards” (Glatthorn 1997, p. 4). Teachers can work themselves for their

professional development.

The organization

Working in a collegial school environment where teachers serve as sources of

support and feedback motivates teacher is essential for school effectiveness. “One of the

best ways to foster collegiality is with a differentiated system that strongly emphasizes

cooperation and mutual assistance. A key component of the differentiated approach

enables teachers to work together, helping each other grow professionally. Evidence from
A Differentiated Supervision Model 15

several case studies of this approach suggest that teachers involved in such programs feel

a greater spirit of cooperation and trust of other teachers” (Glatthorn 1997, p.5).

Supervisors cannot do everything alone

One of the main problems that face supervisors is their inability to work effectively

with large number of teachers. Visiting all the teachers is time-consuming and prevents

from concentrating efforts in areas that need improvement. “Differentiated supervision

enables the supervisor to focus clinical efforts on those teachers needing or requesting

them, rather than providing them perfunctory ritualistic visits for all teachers” (Glatthorn

1997,p.5).

Individual differences among teachers

It goes without saying that teachers differ in their skills, abilities, and motivations.

Differentiated supervision puts this fact into consideration, and tries to provide teachers

with several options to improve teaching. They vary in their preferences for professional

development strategies, as well.

By examining these arguments that Glatthorn stated as a rationale for his model, we

find that they are all exist in the Saudi schools. The following points are supportive

arguments for Glatthorn’s rationale that can be said concerning the Saudi schools:

Staffing System

Staffing in Saudi schools is completely different from staffing in the US. By law,

the new Saudi teacher possesses the job the second year if he or she gets more than

“good” in the final appraisal. Neither the district nor the Ministry of Education has the

authority to dismiss a teacher without legitimate evidences that prove him or her to be
A Differentiated Supervision Model 16

inappropriate for teaching. This, in fact, makes it obligatory for the supervisor to present

more development options for the teachers.

Payment and Time

Saudi teachers are paid for 12 months a year. The real school days are no longer

than 8 months. There is a plenty of time for teachers to arrange and carry out their own

developmental programs.

In addition to the variety of options, flexibility is a distinctive feature that makes the

differentiated model applicable and practical. Glatthorn recommends that each school or

district develop its own model of the differentiated supervision; the model that best suits

its environment. (Glatthorn, 1997)

Generally speaking, there are three main advantages of the differentiated

supervision:

1. It looks at supervision as a process not a position. Thus whoever practices or

can practice supervision is considered a supervisor.

2. In incorporates other models, or goes along with them, which enriches the

differentiated model of supervision.

3. It is flexible; every school is able to develop own model.

Summary

In this chapter differentiated supervision was briefly presented as it was proposed

by Allan Glatthorn. The next chapter will throw some light on supervision in Saudi

schools to have a background for the suggested model. This also will help to judge

whether this model is applicable in Saudi schools or not.


A Differentiated Supervision Model 17

CHAPTER THREE: SUPERVISION IN SAUDI SCHOOLS

Supervisory System in Saudi Schools: Background

The educational system in Saudi Arabia is very centralized. Virtually, all

supervisory practices are outlined and planned by the Ministry of Education. Districts,

(called educational directorates), have to implement these plans. They have little freedom

to modify the outlines of these plans. However, they can modify the content of these

outlines.

Educational Directorates adopt the system of the subject supervisor. Each

directorate has a unit for each subject with number of supervisors according to the

number of teachers in that directorate area. Every unit is supposed to carry out its staff

development plans and supervision activities.

In general there are three types of staff development programs in Saudi schools.

Refreshing Programs

At the beginning of the academic year, usually there is a staff development activity

called refreshing meetings. They take the form of large-group awareness sessions. They

range from three to five days and three to four hours a day. Usually, teachers start coming

to school three weeks before students. This program is held before the actual beginning

of the school. The supervisor plans the meeting sessions and usually engages some of the

experienced teachers. Almost all teachers are expected to attend, and more attention is

paid to the new ones. The activities vary. They typically include lectures, workshops, and

model lessons. The supervisor strategy is explained, handouts are distributed and certain

readings are recommended. This program is handled with little formality and no
A Differentiated Supervision Model 18

evaluation is made. It heavily depends on the experience, effectiveness of the

supervisor(s) in charge, and his human relations with the teachers.

The lack of clear goals, inaccurate plans, not meeting the teachers’ needs, and the

incompetent presenters are the main shortcomings of this program. These shortcomings

result that the teacher, and sometimes the principals, do not take it seriously. Sparks and

Hirsh (1997) state that “Critics have long argued that this ‘sit and get’ form of staff

development, in which educators are passive recipients of received wisdom from

‘experts’ has produced little lasting change in the classroom” (p. 52).

In-service Training

Every year each unit in the educational directorate organizes a short-term in-service

training program. These programs take forty-five training hours. The unit supervisors are

responsible for managing these programs. They usually ask participation from experts

such as college professors. On contrast to the refreshing programs, the outlines of these

programs are planned by the General Department of Supervision in the Ministry of

Education. The number of trainees is limited and they are appointed by names by the

subject supervisors. Trainers and trainees are paid by the district. An evaluation

questionnaire is distributed to the teachers at the end of the program.

This program is more sophisticated than the refreshing program and it takes more

planning and preparation from the supervisors. There is no qualified staff development

specialist, so the supervisors are expected to carry on the whole process of the training

program, which in many cases is beyond their capacity.

Typically, supervisors and school principals are eligible to enroll in a full time in-

service training program for one semester, (four months), in one of the education
A Differentiated Supervision Model 19

colleges. The classes include supervision or school principalship, educational

measurement, curriculum and teaching methods, psychology of childhood and

adolescence, educational evaluation, human relations, and instructional technology.

Being a “one shot” program with out any follow up lessens the expected benefits

from these programs.

Supervisory activities

In addition to those programs, supervisors, as part of their job, are encouraged to

arrange professional development activities during the school year. Making one or two

visits a year to a teacher is the typical process of supervision. By the end of the year, each

supervisor has to submit to the General department of Supervision a report about his

activities during the year. These activities include conferences, meetings, workshops,

model lessons, teachers’ mutual visits, and classroom visits. Naturally, supervisors vary a

lot in carrying out these activities depending on their experience, qualifications, and the

nature of the teachers who work with them. Unfortunately, there are no accurate

evaluation methods to assess the supervisors’ work (Ministry of Education, 1998).

Supervisors, typically, are assigned from the competent teachers. There is no

specific academic qualifications or requirement. Teachers apply or are nominated by the

districts. Certain conditions, set in advance by the Ministry of Education, must be met.

Among these conditions are:

1. To have at least 4 years of teaching experience

2. To have recommendations from the subject supervisor, the principal, and the

superintendent.
A Differentiated Supervision Model 20

The nominee undertakes a proficiency test in the General Directorate. If he passes,

then, a committee will interview him. This committee, based on the result of the

interview, will recommend whether to appoint him or not.

Principals’ Role in Staff development

The principals’ role in staff development in Saudi schools is almost passive. They

view staff development as the supervisors’ task. Usually, their involvement is limited in

arranging for the speakers or preparing the place for meetings. Too often, some of them

have looked for staff development as a second consideration. Research in the school

improvement area emphasized the critical role of the principal on that area (Dufour,

1991). With the absence of the proactive principal, the gap will widen in the process of

school improvement in Saudi schools.

Summary

The aim of this chapter was to present a general idea about supervision in Saudi

Arabia. This background is meant to help in understanding how the suggested model is

expected to work. In the next chapter, a model of the differentiated supervision will be

proposed.
A Differentiated Supervision Model 21

CHAPTER FOUR: A SUGGESTED MODEL

The Model

In an effort to avoid the problems and weaknesses of the supervisory system in

Saudi schools, and to take advantages of the differentiated supervision, the following

supervision model is proposed as a framework for supervision in Saudi schools.

The following assumption forms this suggested model of differentiated supervision.

According to Wood et al. (1981) most of these assumptions are supported by research

findings.

1. In order for teachers to stay current and effective, they should be involved in staff

development throughout their work.

2. Significant improvement in educational practice takes considerable time and is the

result of systematic, long-range staff development.

3. Staff development should have an impact on the quality of the school program

and focus on helping teachers improving their abilities to perform their

professional responsibilities.

4. Adult learners are motivated to risk learning new behaviors when they believe

they have control over the learning situation and are free from threat of failure.

5. Teachers vary widely in their professional competencies, readiness and

approaches to learning.

6. Professional growth requires personal and group commitment to new performance

norms.
A Differentiated Supervision Model 22

7. Organizational health including factors such as social climate, trust, open

communication, and peer support for change in practice influence the success of

professional development programs.

8. School principal has a crucial role in any staff development program.

9. Supervisor cannot provide time, energy, and expertise needed for supervising,

coaching and support of new skills and behavior acquired by teachers. (Rodriguez

and Johnston. 1986, Zumwalt (Edit)).

This model goes through four stages: (See Wood et al. (1981) p 63)

I. Readiness

Readiness is the extent to which teachers have the ability and willingness to

accomplish a specific task (Hersey et al. 1993). In this stage the school and district

climate is set for the model. Teachers should be informed of the model, its benefits for

them and for the students, and the importance of their active participation. Achieving

teachers’ commitment is important in this stage. Also a climate that supports change and

innovation should be created.

At the three weeks period that usually precedes the students’ arrival, supervisors

held meetings with the teachers and principals in different places to present the idea of

differentiated supervision. The following points should be addressed:

1. Teachers’ empowerment is not solely the supervisors’ job.

2. The main assumption of the differentiated supervision and its components.

3. The mechanism of arranging the teachers.

By coordinating with supervisors the principal of each school assigns, through

nomination, a committee of two teachers, in addition to himself, to take responsibility of


A Differentiated Supervision Model 23

the differentiated supervision in their school. The load of those teachers should be

reduced. This committee works as a task force for teacher development in each school.

This committee has to inform teachers about differentiated supervision strategies

and options. The needed information should be available for every teacher. A detailed

explanation for each option and its merits should be also provided.

It is the supervisor responsibility to raise the level of readiness. It is important that

the supervisors and the principals show their high expectations and genuine confidence in

teachers. This will make teachers more responsive and willing to participate effectively in

the model (Hersey et al. 1993).

Hord, Rutherford, Austin and Hall (1987) offered the following suggestions for

interventions at the various levels of teachers’ concern while arranging staff development

program (DuFour 1991,p.66):

Stage 0: Awareness Concerns ("What is the innovation?")

If possible, involve teachers in discussions and decisions about the innovation and

its implementation.

Share enough information to arouse interest, but not so much that it overwhelms.

Acknowledge that a lack of awareness is expected and reasonable, and that no

questions about the innovation are foolish.

Encourage unaware persons to talk with colleagues who know about the innovation.

Take steps to minimize gossip and inaccurate sharing of information about the

innovation.

ٍStage 1: Informational Concerns

( I need to know more about the innovation.")


A Differentiated Supervision Model 24

Provide clear and accurate information about the innovation.

Use a variety of ways to share information--verbally, in writing, and through any

available media. Communicate with individuals and with small and large groups.

Have persons who have used the innovation in other settings visit with your

teachers. Visits to user schools could also be arranged.

Help teachers see how the innovation relates to their current practices, both in

regard to similarities and differences.

Be enthusiastic and enhance the visibility of others who are excited.

Stage 2: Personal Concerns

(How will the innovation affect me?")

Legitimize the existence and expression of personal concerns. Knowing that these

concerns are common and that others have them can be comforting.

Use personal notes and conversations to provide encouragement and reinforce

personal adequacy.

Connect these teachers with others whose personal concerns have diminished and

who will be supportive.

Show how the innovation can be implemented sequentially rather than in one big

leap. It is important to establish expectations that are attainable.

Do not push innovation use, but encourage and support it while maintaining

expectations.

Stage 3: Management Concerns

(How will I find time to do this?")


A Differentiated Supervision Model 25

Clarify the steps and components of the innovation. Provide answers that address

the small, specific "how-to" issues that are so often the cause of management concerns.

Demonstrate exact and practical solutions to the logistical problems that contribute

to these concerns.

Help teachers sequence specific activities and set timelines for their

accomplishments.

Attend to the immediate demands of the innovation, not what will be or could be in

the future.

Stage 4: Consequence Concerns

("How is my use of the innovation affecting kids?")

Provide these individuals with opportunities to visit other settings in which the

innovation is in use and to attend conferences on the topic.

Provide them with positive feedback and needed support.

Find opportunities for these staff members to share their skills with others.

Share information pertaining to the innovation with them.

Stage 5: Collaboration

("I would like to discuss my findings and ideas with others.")

Provide these individuals with opportunities to develop those skills necessary for

working collaboratively.

Bring together these persons, both within and outside the school, who are interested

in collaboration.

Help the collaborators establish reasonable expectations and guidelines for the

collaborative effort.
A Differentiated Supervision Model 26

Use them to provide technical assistance to others who need assistance.

Encourage the collaborators, but do not attempt to force collaboration on those who

are not interested.

Stage 6: Refocusing Concerns

("I have an idea for improving upon the innovation.")

Respect and encourage the interest that these persons have for finding a better way.

Help channel their ideas and energies in ways that will be productive rather than

counterproductive.

Encourage them to act on their concerns for program improvement.

Help them access the resources they may need to refine their ideas and put them

into practice.

Be aware of and willing to accept the fact that these staff members may replace or

significantly modify the existing innovations.

As usual, supervisors should not expect a high level of readiness, since this model is

a new thing especially for Saudi teachers who most of them, as most of the teachers all

over the world, think that experience is enough for them to be good teachers. Supervisors

also should remember that no one (including themselves) learns how to do things all at

once.

Motivation is a vital factor in achieving the state of readiness among teachers. It is

part of the supervisor and principal’s role to motivate teachers for both joining and

participating in this model’s activities.


A Differentiated Supervision Model 27

II. Planning

Planning is deciding in advance what to do, how to do it, when to do it, and who is

to do it (Koontz et al 1984). In this stage the specific objectives are set, and the detailed

plans for achieving the desired goals are developed. Teachers should participate in this

stage, by suggesting and defining objectives and how to achieve them. Teacher must

never feel that they are strangers in this model. They should feel that they are responsible

for planning for their development activities. “Because they are adults and because they

are professionals, teachers know that they, too, should have some power in determining

the professional development topics and activities which they need and in which they will

participate” (Rodriguez and Johnston. 1986, p. 88).

What is going to be conducted in the model should be written in this stage. A

detailed schedule for each activity is developed, in which when, what, how, and where

are clarified.

While planning the model activities four important factors should be put into

consideration:

1. The principles of the adult learning

Bents and Howey (Dillon-Peterson 19981) state the following adult learning

principles that facilitate staff development programs:

a. Adults are motivated to learn as they experience needs and interests that

learning will satisfy. Activities should start from and revolve around teachers’ needs and

interests.

b. Adult orientation to learning is life-centered. Activities should be planned

around life situation not subjects.


A Differentiated Supervision Model 28

c. Adults learn best by experience.

d. Adults have the need to be self-directing.

e. Individual differences are more significant among adults.

These principles should be incorporated into the activities of this model regardless

of the format, process, or content. (Zepeda, 1999. see also Glickman 1998)

2. The availability of materials

Since instructional materials are important in staff development, it must be

considered in planning. Planners should be aware of the abilities of the schools and

schools’ buildings. Marczely (1996) notes that “good programs can be sabotaged by

faulty air-conditioning, broken audiovisual equipment, missing refreshments…” (p. 29)

3. Time

Time is an important issue for teachers. This model’s activities should all take place

during the school time. It also should consider the load of teachers. The models’ activities

should be counted for in the school schedule. When teachers are tired or overloaded it is

more likely that the program will fail.

Planning for supervisory activities in Saudi schools is very weak. Since this model’s

success depends heavily on good planning, supervisors have to be aware of the factors

that lead to failure in planning. Koontz and others (Koontz et al 1984) states the reasons

why people usually fail in planning. The following are the reasons that can be noticed

easily in Saudi schools.

a. Lack of commitment to planning.

b. Confusing of planning studies with plans.

c. Failure to develop and implement sound strategies.


A Differentiated Supervision Model 29

d. Lack of meaningful objectives or goals.

e. Tendency to underestimate the importance of planning premises.

f. Failure to see the scope of plans.

g. Failure to see planning as a rational process.

h. Excessive reliance on experience.

i. Resistance to change.

4. Objectives

Behavior is basically a goal-oriented. One of the shortcomings of the supervisory

activities in Saudi schools is the lack of clear and well-defined goals. According to

Hersey et al (1993) good goals should be:

a. Specific. It is not enough to set as a goal: “to improve instruction”. The area and

method of improvement should be clearly specified.

b. Measurable. Goals have to be measurable and observable.

c. Attainable. Teachers need to be able to reach their goals. However, goals should

not be so easy to achieve. Goad goals are challenging goals.

d. Relevant. It is important for the goals to be related to the their work at school.

III. Implementation

This stage is the real work of differentiated supervision. In this stage plans are

translated into actions.

Teachers are divided into two categories.

1. The new teachers, which includes all the recent graduated teachers, up to 3 three

years experience or the teachers who have profound teaching problems;


A Differentiated Supervision Model 30

2. the experienced teacher, who have the experience of more than three years of

teaching.

Teachers in each school should sign their names in the option(s) they prefer. The

committee members should start with themselves. The supervisor should make sure that

the needed facilities and educational aids are available. He also should be ready to solve

any problem that might hinder the implementation.

If possible and more appropriate a group of schools can work together. The

supervisor, then, should work as a coordinator and form the task force from the members

of different schools. Each option group should arrange and undertake its activities by the

assistance of the committee. The committee should write a report about each option

group to the supervisor.

Since it is natural and expected that most of the teachers will choose the third option

(the self-directed option) the supervisor and the teacher should make it clear from the

beginning that the teacher’s participation and the extent that his participation indicates his

desire to improve himself will affect in his evaluation.

IV. Evaluation

Evaluation is an important stage in this model. Evaluation is essential for

maintaining the model and keeping it to its optimum. The following ways can be used in

evaluating the model:

Teachers’ Feedback

Teachers are encouraged to give their feedback about the model and its options. The

supervisors and the principals ask for oral comments and written reports about each

option and about the methods of conducing. These notes and reports should be looked at
A Differentiated Supervision Model 31

carefully and analyzed by the supervisors. In addition to the benefit of these notes and

reports for modifying and developing the model, they will also give the teacher the

impression that they really have a say in the model.

Research on the students’ final results

Students’ learning is the ultimate aim of improving teachers. Any successful and

effective supervision model should contribute in improving students’ learning. If the

students’ result did not improve, that indicates that the model is not effective at least in

the important area of the students’ achievement. Then the supervisor should revise the

goals or activities of the different options.

The routine evaluative visits of the supervisor or the principal.

Supervisor and principals made a routine classroom visits to the teachers in order to

fill their appraisal report. These visits can give a clear indication for the improvement in

teachers’ classroom behaviors and teaching skills.

DuFour (1991) suggests that the Xerox Corporation model can be easily applied in

evaluating staff development programs at schools. The levels of questions and strategies

for answering each level are presented below:

Question Method of Data Collection

1. Did participants enjoy the training? Questionnaire

2. Did participants learn skills? Create a task situation for participants to complete

and have them evaluate their performance.

3. Did participants use their new skills on Observers determine whether new skills are being

the job? applied in the work place.

4. Did the program affect the bottom line? Collection of observable, tangible, verifiable facts

that show specific profit or performance results


A Differentiated Supervision Model 32

(Elam, Cramer and Brodinsky, x986. cited by DuFour, 1991, p. 63)

Sparks and Hirsh (1997) conclude that,

It is no longer sufficient to determine the value of staff development

efforts by assessing participants’ perceived satisfaction with those efforts.

While participants’ satisfaction is a desirable goal, assessment effort must

also provide information about changes in on-the-job behavior,

organizational change, and the improved learning of all students” (p. 41)

The options of the model

The original options of the model that were proposed by Glatthorn will be used in

this model. However certain addition or modification will be made if necessary to fit the

Saudi schools.

Intensive development

This is a planned process for observing, analyzing, and modifying teachers’

classroom behavior. New teachers and teachers who have difficulties in classroom

teaching should go through this option. This option should be handled by the supervisor.

The Components of the Intensive Development

As proposed by Glatthorn, the intensive development option goes through eight

steps. (Glatthorn, 1997)

• Taking-stock conference. The teacher and the supervisor discuss the matters

related to their work together. A collective general meeting with the teachers of a certain

subject in a school or a group of schools will be sufficient.


A Differentiated Supervision Model 33

• Pre-observation conference. In this conference both the teacher and the

supervisor decide the lesson to be observed, review the plan and decide the purpose of the

observation. The instrument for gathering data should be specified and explained to the

teacher.

• Diagnostic Observation. The supervisor observes the teacher to collect data

about the meaningful classroom interactions, in order to determine the teacher’s weak

and strong points. The students’ outcomes are a key issue in determining what to record

of the classroom activities. Video recording will be an influential means. Classroom

observation techniques should be employed carefully.

• Analysis of diagnostic Observation. Both, the teacher and the supervisor,

analyze the data. The supervisor should ask for rationalization for significant behaviors.

The purpose here is to help teacher always have goal-oriented behaviors, and criticize his

behaviors.

• Diagnostic Debriefing. The teacher and the supervisor analyze the lesson and

reflect on its importance for improvement.

• Coaching Session. In this meeting the teacher and the supervisor agree on

method of coaching certain skills that seemed to need improvement through the

diagnostic process.

• Focus Observation. An observation that focuses on a specific skill.

• Focused Debriefing Conference. A conference that reviews and analyzes the

findings of the focused observation.

Self-mentoring
A Differentiated Supervision Model 34

In this option the teacher is taking the responsibility to mentor himself through

video taping his performance at the classroom. The aim here is that the teacher step back

and watches himself acting at the classroom. The supervisor should help him in

examining the instructional situations that the teacher goes through and evaluate them.

The process would take the following steps:

1. The supervisor introduces this strategy, explaining its goals. It should be made clear

that only the teachers will watch the videotape.

2. The teacher videotapes his class. He should put the camera in a palace where it

could capture all the classroom activities. The teacher might get the help of a

technician in setting the camera, but no one should be available during videotaping.

This is to assure that the teacher’s performance take its natural performance.

3. the teachers should watch the videotape at least twice. The first is to have a general

look at the teaching process. The teacher should write down any notice that he feels

remarkable or strange or need to reflect on. The second should be a guiding

watching. The supervisor should prepare certain issues or behaviors for the teacher

to watch carefully, for example, questioning process, using the chalkboard,

classroom management. These issues might be suggested by the supervisor, based

on his previous visits to the teacher, or they could be suggested by the teacher

himself. The teachers should write down any problematic aspect regarding the issue

in question, then reflect on them, trying to come up with some suggestions or

solutions. The supervisor might provide the teachers with some questions to answer,

such as, how many times did you ask a student from the first raw? Did you give

students enough time to think about the answer? Did you consider the individual
A Differentiated Supervision Model 35

differences while asking the questions? Were the examples clear and easy to

understand? Was the warm-up stage effective in preparing students for the new

lesson?

4. the teacher then write a brief report about the lesson and how did he notice about

his behavior and what things that he is going to change.

Cooperative Professional Development

This should be the core of this model activities. The supervisor should make

teachers feel that they are professionals and that they should develop themselves by

themselves. Teachers should see it as part of their career to work together for

improvement. Teachers often learn best from their colleagues, thus they should be

encouraged to look at each other as source of information and assistance. This option

should be handled by both the supervisor and the principal.

Forms of Cooperative Development

Professional dialogues

Professional dialogues in this model have many forms. Each school or group of

schools arranges their professional dialogues. They include: small group discussion,

lectures, seminars, and workshops. Most of these dialogues are utilized in supervisory

activities in Saudi schools. They need to be organized and carefully planned. The

principal should be held responsible for directly managing this option. The supervisor

asks for a schedule for these dialogues at the third week of the term. At least, two

professional dialogues should take place in each term. Topics are suggested by teachers,

in order to have their commitment and effective participation, and to be very relevance as

well.
A Differentiated Supervision Model 36

Curriculum Development

Teachers are the real ones who deal with the curriculum in reality. They should

have an input in it. Though Saudi educational system is a centralized system, curriculum

developers always solicit the teachers’ opinions, ideas, and suggestions. Teachers should

be encouraged to study and critique curricula. These studies or critiques could be

included in the topics of the professional dialogues meetings.

Furthermore, teachers have a wide space for creativity and modification while

implementing the Ministry curriculum. They have the freedom to add extracurricular

activities, and also they can create their own activities that fit in teaching that curriculum.

Teachers must feel that their creativity is worthwhile to their teaching.

Peer Coaching

The main assumption in peer coaching is “that teaching is a professional act and

that coaches support teachers in becoming more resourceful, informed, and skillful

professionals” (Costa and Garmston,(1994) p. 5). “Joyce and showers (1983) seems to

imply that for teachers to gain mastery over a new teaching protocol, considerable

training, and carefully monitored trial and error efforts are required. That is hardly what

teachers experience in a supervisory episode.” (Glanz, and Neville, 1997 p.6)

According to Gottesman and Jennings (1994) peer coaching is “a five-steps

framework designed for one professional educator to ask another professional to observe

classroom performance in a nonjudgmental, nonevaluative way so that performance can

be improve.” (p. 7)

Action Research
A Differentiated Supervision Model 37

This form needs the teachers to have enough time and a good background in

research methods, and a strong commitment. According to Marczely (1996), research

supports the opinion that classroom teachers can be effective researchers. He states that

“Real teachers in real classrooms have made significant research findings” (p38). “Action

research is an option that can represent an individual initiative or a collaborative effort as

pairs or teams of teachers work together to solve a problem” (Sergiovanni & Starratt

1993, p. 292).

Zepeda (1999) states that the action research as staff development has the following

benefits:

1. The opportunity to collaborate with one another.

2. The development of a forum where interested members of the community can

learn together.

3. Learning opportunities that do not attempt to influence teachers towards a

predetermined point of view.

4. The opportunity to give emotional support to one another.

5. Data-driven decision-making

6. More readily accepted change.

Furthermore, the teachers will have the feeling and confidence that they are

professionals and that they have the ability to discover and explore their problems at

work and come up with proper solutions. Also, as a result, teachers will find themselves

automatically referring to professional references and trying to keep up with the new

research in their fields.

Guided Readings
A Differentiated Supervision Model 38

This option was not mentioned in Glatthorn’s Model. However, this paper claims

that it is a very important option for supervisory system in Saudi schools. Guided reading

means that the supervisor or the principal choose some readings – small books, chapters,

or magazine articles –, photocopy them, and distribute them to the teachers or a group of

teachers. These materials must have a goal. They should not be selected randomly, but

rather serve certain areas in teachers’ development. They also could serve as starting

points for discussions in other activities. The important thing in this strategy is that it

should be ongoing and purposeful process. It should aim to three main goals:

1. Renew and refresh old knowledge base. Most of the educational innovations

and new skills are based on old educational principles and assumptions. Recalling these

assumptions and principles is very important for improvement.

2. Provide teachers with theoretical background for new innovations.

3. Provide teachers with new information in their field.

Self-Directed Development

Unlike the other professionals, teachers are rarely given the opportunity to choose

and manage their professional development activities. As professionals, all teachers

should be encouraged in participating in this option.

The supervisor role here is to draw guidelines for the teacher’s growth. There

should be certain topics that every teacher should be aware of. These topics will include

issues like: educational psychology, classroom management, educational technology, and

teaching models. The supervisor should set general guidelines for all teachers and make a

space for modifying these guidelines for certain teachers if needed. Teachers would be
A Differentiated Supervision Model 39

supposed to provide some sort of documentation, such as a short report about their

activity, or a list of their readings (Sergiovanni & Starratt 1993).

Goals are very essential for this option success. The supervisor, or the principal,

should make sure that these goals help in improving instruction in general. This option

should be looked at as a means not an end in itself. Teachers should be encouraged to

translate what they read and study in their classrooms. Suitable and accessible references,

including educational periodicals, research papers, and Internet sites should be also

recommended.
A Differentiated Supervision Model 40
A Differentiated Supervision Model 41

Principal’s Role

In this model the school principal, as the school leader, plays an essential role. He

should work as the coordinator for the cooperative professional development activities.

Principals are key to any meaningful staff development program. Baloche (1998. cited by

Zepeda, 1999, p32) suggests that principals:

1. Believe, from the beginning, that people have the potential and desire to

succeed, then support them.

2. Build on a person’s strength.

3. Provide their staff with feed back- encouragement, praise, and positive criticism

– to help them grow.

4. Build team spirit through retreats, cooperative effort, and brainstorming

sessions.

5. Set high standards and praise the results; teachers will be proud of their

organization.

6. Remove obstacles to teachers’ success by providing the necessary resources.

7. Encourage teachers to take risk, to step out, and try something new.

8. Make work exciting with a relaxed, positive attitude.

9. Let people see the results of their work praised.

10. Listen carefully.

The principal has to launch the potential of his people. As an instructional leader the

principal should make a strong resolve to create and sustain the conditions needed to the

staff development programs’ success.


A Differentiated Supervision Model 42

Summary

In this chapter a suggested model of differentiated supervision was presented. It was

based on Glatthorn’s model. However, some changes and additions have been introduced.

For its importance to applying this model in Saudi schools, the role of the principal was

also clarified.
A Differentiated Supervision Model 43

CHAPTER FIVE: CONCLUSION AND RECOMMENDATIONS

Glatthorn’s differentiated supervision is one of the supervision approaches that have

appeared in recent years. It is a flexible and inclusive approach. In addition, it gives

variety of options for the supervisor to choose. Also, it can be easily modified to suit any

school situation. This paper has proposed a model that is hoped to suits the Saudi schools.

This model of differentiated supervision seems to be applicable in Saudi schools for

the following reasons:

1. It provides teachers and supervisors with different options.

2. It is flexible, and can be modified to fit the different schools’ situations.

3. It capitalizes almost all the teachers’ means of growth, and creates a learning

climate at school.

4. it reduces the actual supervisor engagement in real work and gives him more

time for thinking, planning and supervising.

5. Legally speaking, teachers’ situation in Saudi schools is suitable for

implementing this model.

Recommendation:

1. Doing more research about the supervisory practices in Saudi schools

2. Making in-depth evaluative studies for the supervisory system in Saudi schools.

3. Experimenting this model (or developed version of it) in Saudi schools.

4. Making use of the studies made on the supervisory systems and models in the

USA.

5. Developing a parallel model for developing supervisors and principals.


A Differentiated Supervision Model 44

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