Abstract

This study focuses on investigating issues that are currently raising serious concerns in the education system in Saudi Arabia with regard to state school effectiveness. In order to understand the factors that prevent its efficiency and to enable reliable policy recommendations to enhance the quality of Saudi education and ensure greater efficiency, the researcher conducts this research on the effectiveness of the school by creating a comprehensive frame work that helps to explain why efforts to increase effectiveness succeed or fail, and what promotes or hinders effective school improvement. In order to fulfil the aims and objectives of this study the researcher used a survey approach with sample of 179 teachers and 11 school leaders. Research instruments included a questionnaire (quantitative data) and interview (qualitative data). The school leaders were interviewed. This exploratory study highlighted some key issues likely to affect effectiveness in Saudi State schools. It appears that the main problem facing the state schools is the lack of the main factors to effectiveness that are effective leaders, effective teachers, and effective environment. The purpose of the study was to find answers to the inquiry as how these schools can be improved to be effective. The findings of the study affect the researcher in terms of acquisition of knowledge and experience in school effectiveness and they are basis for further studies on this field. Moreover, being aware of the main factors to school effectiveness will be very helpful and provide fruitful reflections to those who are interested in the improvement of the effectiveness of schools.

Key words: School effectiveness, leaders, education, Saudi Arabia.