ABSTRACT
This introduction presents an overview of the key concepts discussed in the subsequent chapters of this book. The book outlines the relevance of theoretical models for an understanding of educational effectiveness. It analyzes the effects of what they call “new inspection systems”. The book investigates the short- and long-term effects of the implementation of state-wide exit examinations in Germany on the standardization of teachers' grading practice during high school and in exit exams at the end of high school. It explores the advancement of educational effectiveness theory basically by discussing a methodological question using two longitudinal studies in England and Cyprus. The book also investigates the possibility of relating educational effectiveness theory to school improvement. It argues that it will be important to extend the research agenda of educational effectiveness research and to cover issues associated not only with modelling and evaluating effectiveness but also with the development of a theory-driven and evidence-based approach to school improvement.
