School supervision in times of transformation

The aim of the study is to gain a detailed picture of the tasks, roles and responsibilities of school supervision within the education administration. To this end, the researchers conduct interviews with employees of the school supervisory authority and other support systems (such as school inspections, school development consultations, etc.) and carry out a standardised survey of school subject speakers and department heads in five federal states.

Duration
10/2024 - 09/2026

Project management

Prof. Dr. Kathrin Dedering
Inhaberin der Professur für Bildungsinstitutionen und Schulentwicklung (Faculty of Education)

What role do school inspectorates play in school transformation processes? This question is at the centre of the study ""Die Schulaufsicht in Zeiten der Transformation" (School supervision in times of transformation), which was commissioned by the Heraeus Education Foundation and the Wübben Education Foundation. The study will be conducted until September 2026 under the direction of Kathrin Dedering, Professor of Educational Institutions and School Development at the University of Erfurt, and her team.

The focus is on the following questions:

  • How does the school supervisory authority manage schools?
  • How does it support schools in their transformation and (data-supported) further development?
  • What interactions exist between school supervision and other support systems?

‘Our study is the first to provide robust findings based on more comprehensive data sets and will contribute to closing this research gap’

Professor Kathrin Dedering (Professor of Educational Institutions and School Development)