Education development office - FACT SHEET

SUMMARY:

The Model Schools Network (MSN) Program – locally known as MSN – is a USAID-funded $9.2 million, 4 year program implemented by AMIDEAST. MSN is an institutional capacity building initiative focused on developing a school improvement network that serves as a model for strengthening the quality of basic education in the Palestinian Territories in grades 1-9. The program, which is carried out in cooperation with the Ministry of Education and Higher Education of the Palestinian National Authority, seeks to introduce a student-centered, contemporary approach to teaching and learning within a network of a minimum 20 schools in the West Bank. By design, MSN is a reform-oriented program that aligns very closely with the new Education Development Strategic Plan for the years 2008-2012. This network serves as the foundation for replicating lessons learned and best practices at other Palestinian schools.

The MSN Program develops a model school network by focusing on four types of initiatives:

• Professional Development
• Physical Capacity Building
• Professional Networking
• Student and Community Integration

At its core, the Model Schools Network Program focuses on the professional development of teachers and administrators at the model schools, particularly in the areas of English, math, and science. Physical capacity building includes computer and science lab upgrades, and a Small Grants Program providing an opportunity for member-schools to apply for funds for other improvements. Professional networking, an annual, national conference, and local peer-to-peer exchanges will also be important features. Finally, schools involved in the program actively work with parent-teacher associations and engage in an after-school Youth Enrichment Program, while students enjoy summer English, math and science camps.

These measures encourage professional networking among schools and linkages between schools and their communities in order to foster

“Communities of Learning” that best support children’s learning outcomes.

The MSN Program’s three main objectives are:

1. To measurably improve students’ and teachers’ learning outcomes by introducing educational concepts, teaching approaches, techniques and resources to participating schools that will enhance the quality of school education.
2. Pilot and develop an expandable network of schools that will form the core of participants engaged in a new approach to teaching and learning in the West Bank.
3. Test, develop, and evaluate, document and share results of the model’s approach to allow adoption, modification or elimination of components to establish a model of best practices that could eventually be replicated in other schools and areas.

USAID’s MSN Program is implemented through AMIDEAST who works in partnership with three well-known Palestinian educational institutions: Al Quds and Birzeit Universities, and Al Muntada/The Young Scientists’ Club. All of the MSN partners have a unique experiential learning approach to instruction designed to instill and maintain in children an active spirit of learning and discovery.

In summary, MSN is offering the opportunity for schools to be involved in an innovative program leading to best practices in teaching and administration and resulting in improved learning outcomes for students. Finally MSN is working in cooperation with the Palestinian Ministry of Education and Higher Education and leading local partners to ensure sustainability and replication of this pilot program.