Supporting School Transformation: An Example from Singapore

Elliot: Transitioning a school from didactic instruction to project-based instruction is no mean feat!
Cathie: And that is exactly why Nan Chiau Primary in Singapore has created an interesting organization to help it in that effort. The principal, Mr. Chun Ming Tan started CERA – The Center for Educational Research and Action – where researchers from the National Institute of Education and outside professionals can come together to work, side-by-side, with Nan Chiau teachers and administrators as the school makes that transition.
Elliot: “Outside professionals” sounds like “outside agitators” to me. And since you and I are the first two “outside professionals” in CERA maybe the latter term is appropriate.
Cathie: Speak for yourself; I am not an agitator.
Elliot: Now, now relax; nothing to get your dander up.
Cathie: “Dander up”? This isn’t the fifties, slick.
Elliot: <Aside to the assembled masses: I think I have irritated her. Ooops. I didn’t mean to; I was just trying to say something clever for the post.>
Cathie: And if you think you were being clever, slick, think again.
Elliot: <Further aside: I am in Big T Trouble now; watch how adroitly I handle this potentially explosive situation.> You’re right; we are not outside agitators.
Cathie: On second thought, I think that one of our roles in CERA is to stand back and critique, so in that sense we are outside agitators. Good point, Dr. E.
Elliot: I don’t know of any district, let alone school, that has its own center for research and action.
Cathie: But the transition from didactic instruction to project-based instruction is an enormous undertaking, one that a school should not – can not – do all alone.
Elliot: With CERA, Nan Chiau isn’t all alone; CERA will bring a broad range of resources into Nan Chiau.
Cathie: And, because the researchers will describe their experiences in publications, CERA will benefit more than just Nan Chiau.
Elliot: I simply can’t see Ann Arbor’s schools, my home town for 20 years, creating a CERA. Heavens, they barely let me in the door to my kids’ school, let alone have me help them professionally.
Cathie: Oh, I am not going to touch that one; much too easy.
Elliot: I don’t mean to make it easy!
Cathie: And, I won’t touch that one, either.