UNSUCCESSFUL ENCOUNTERS: TEACHERS MEET RESEARCHERS IN SCHOOLS

Abstract

This paper describes an unsuccessful attempt to develop collaborative relationships between researchers and teachers in three schools. The focus of the project was an attempt to develop school-based effectiveness projects, in which teachers would take the lead in defining school improvement issues and acting on them. Portraiture was used as the device for gaining entry and stimulating debate about issues within each school. In none of the schools was this device successful, and the project foundered. The paper discusses possible reasons for the lack of success, and concludes with some reflections on the nature of relationships between researchers and practitioners. RESUME Cet article decrit une tentative demeuree vaine de developper des rapports de collaboration entre les chercheurs et les professeurs dans trois ecoles. Ce projet etait axe sur une tentative visant a elaborer des projets d'efficacite scolaire dans le cadre desquels les professeurs prendraient l'initiative de definir les questions relatives a l'amelioration des ecoles et prendraient les mesures qui s'imposent. On a utilise le portrait pour lancer et stimuler le debat sur ces questions dans chaque ecole. Cette methode s'est revelee infructueuse dans les trois ecoles, et le projet s'est ecroule. Cet article examine les motifs possibles de cet echec et se termine par certaines reflexions sur la nature des rapports qui existent entre les chercheurs et les professeurs.