Related to the implementation of new public management concepts in German schools during the last ten years, different systems of quality assurance have been introduced. From the beginning and due to practical experience, the effectiveness of these quality management systems has been questioned. Therefore, it was obvious to prove the effectiveness of these systems by scientific research. In spite of some existing studies, no widely accepted research model can be found in literature up to now, and there are no proven results that the realization of educational goals can be improved by use of quality management systems. The article describes a research approach that intends to identify typical patterns of meaning and justification for (or against) the use of quality instruments in schools using qualitative research methods. The study is based on a model that addresses quality management as a tool to improve understanding processes about the support of students’ learning. Therefore, it is based on the assumption that a quality system should support processes of mutual understanding.

Schlagworte
Efficiency, Quality Management, Learning, Understanding Processes