The Leistung macht Schule (“Promoting excellence in schools” – LemaS) research alliance has once again received funding for the second phase of the ten-year, 125-million-euro initiative funded by the federal and state governments. With LemaS-Transfer in die Schullandschaft (“LemaS Transfer to Schools”), researchers from 17 universities will scientifically monitor and explore the transfer and implementation processes at up to 1,300 schools. Together with multiplier teams from LemaS schools and state institutions, they are working on redesigning lessons and schooling in general to better identify and advance pupils’ individual strengths and potential.

Technische Universität Dresden is now joining the LemaS-Transfer research alliance as a key partner. In close collaboration with Leipzig University and Karlsruhe University of Education, Prof. Thomas Köhler, Director of the Center for Open Digital Innovation and Participation (CODIP), is heading off the focus on digitalization with the central task of developing a distribution platform. This platform aims at ensuring long-term application and dissemination of the LemaS-P³rodukte – strategies, outlines and materials for promoting gifted students and their skills – and opportunities for professionalization. The goal is to make the platform available in every school across the country.

LemaS-Transfer ties in with the research and school development project Leistung macht Schule. Since 2018, the research alliance has been working with 300 schools of all types in a total of 22 sub-projects to develop what eventually became the approximately 100 tested and formatively evaluated LemaS-P³rodukte for promoting promising students and their skills in the continued development of schools and teaching. At the same time, the fostering of pupils’ potential and strengths has been entrenched in the structures of the schools involved. Their school culture has been shaped through the adaptation of mission statements and pedagogical approaches, through a fortified network with other schools and extracurricular partners, and through new educational strategies as well as the professionalization of teaching staff. The benefits of the previous collaboration of science and practice as part of Leistung macht Schule will now be extended to other schools. As in the initial phase of funding, the project will also receive support in the transfer phase from a federal and state working group as well as the administration of the states and their education policies.

Schools that were involved in the first phase of LemaS will serve as multipliers, carrying their experiences and discoveries forward to up to 1000 new schools in the form of LemaS-P³rodukte. The LemaS-Transfer research alliance will guide the schools by hosting an extensive professionalization and support program. Throughout the entire duration of the project (until December 31, 2027), these multiplier schools will continually undergo further qualification in four focus areas for promoting pupils’ potential and strengths. This includes the shift toward a school culture that promotes pupils’ talents, individualized teaching, and the subject-specific design of potential-oriented lessons in STEM areas and languages. The project will explore and identify the necessary conditions for transfer and implementation processes to succeed in a school setting.

The initial funding phase of Leistung macht Schule does not officially conclude until June 30 of this year, but the new project leads and alliance partners have already begun their work as of April 1, resulting in a three-month overlap period. Now, the focus will be on shaping the transition to the transfer phase and preparing the collaboration with the LemaS-Transfer multiplier teams starting at the beginning of the 2023/24 school year.

Contact:
Prof. Thomas Köhler
CODIP Director
Tel.: +49 351 463-35301