RSM and secondary schools to collaborate in goal-setting programme

Secondary schools the IJsselcollege, Fioretti College Lisse, Fioretti College Hillegom, and Segbroek College have signed a letter of intent with Rotterdam School of Management, Erasmus University (RSM) to develop an ‘evidence-based intervention’ for secondary education. This intervention is coupled with academic research and knowledge-sharing.

The primary objective of the secondary education goal-setting programme is to boost the motivation and school performance of pupils from a disadvantaged socio-economic background and improve their educational and career opportunities. This intervention could have a positive effect on other students’ performance as well.

Success rate

This psychological intervention was developed by RSM professor Michaéla Schippers. Academic research since 2011 has demonstrated that at university level, the intervention has had a significant positive effect in reducing the drop-out rate in the first year of study. The programme will now be applied in secondary education for the first time.

“Our initial intention with the goal-setting programme is to improve the educational results; success rates in the lower and upper years and exam results,” says IJsselcollege principal Bram van Welie, one of the initiators. “We also want to significantly improve the progression to further education. We view the goal-setting programme as a promising intervention to provide pupils with the support they need.”

1,000 pupils

This project is financed by the Ministry of Education, Culture and Science through the Gelijke Kansen Alliantie (equal opportunities alliance). The letter of intent was signed on 9 February by RSM, the four secondary schools, and the municipality of Capelle aan den IJssel. The Bètasteunpunt Zuid-Holland/Leiden is responsible for bringing the secondary schools together. The programme will be trialled in the next academic school year (2018-2019) with 1,000 pupils in the first year of the upper grades.

Naturally, the results of this project and the new academic insights will be shared, and at a later stage the programme will explore how other secondary schools can also participate.

More information

Rotterdam School of Management, Erasmus University (RSM) is one of Europe’s top 10 business schools. RSM provides ground-breaking research and education furthering excellence in all aspects of management and is based in the international port city of Rotterdam – a vital nexus of business, logistics and trade. RSM’s primary focus is on developing business leaders with international careers who can become a force for positive change by carrying their innovative mindset into a sustainable future. Our first-class range of bachelor, master, MBA, PhD and executive programmes encourage them to become critical, creative, caring and collaborative thinkers and doers. Study information and activities for future students, executives and alumni are also organised from the RSM office in Chengdu, China. www.rsm.nl

For more information about RSM or this release, please contact Marianne Schouten, communications manager for RSM, on +31 10 408 2877 or by email at mschouten@rsm.nl.