Determining effective school profiles for schools at low and high socio-economic levels (SEL)

The aim of this research is to determine which factors influence the effectiveness of schools at the low and high socio-economic levels and, as a result, how effective school profiles are perceived. The research in which qualitative research methods and techniques were used was conducted in illustrative case study and comparative case study designs. The study group of the research was identified through extreme or deviant case sampling. The research was carried out in two secondary schools located in high and low socio-economic levels in Niğde Province. In the study group, there are 36 individuals, consisting of 10 teachers, 3 school administrators and 5 parents from each school. The data of the study were collected through semi-structured interviews and the data were analyzed by content analysis. As a result of the research, it is revealed that school effectiveness is evaluated differently in some areas in line with the needs arising from the socio-economic characteristics of schools. In both schools, school effectiveness has been perceived as academic achievement-oriented. In the school at high socio-economic level, the academic achievement dimension of school effectiveness is assessed multidimensional, depending on the involvement of all school stakeholders. On the other hand, in the school at low socio-economic level, academic achievement is considered to be student and teacher oriented. It is concluded that school administrators have to be more active in providing school effectiveness depending on the improvement of the professional performance of the teachers in the school at high socio-economic level. Based on the findings of the research; it is suggested that school administrators should conduct needs analysis with the participation of school stakeholders to determine the socio-economic needs of schools. Keywords: effective school, socio-economic level, school profile