Good School model | Ethics in Estonia

Contacts of UT units

Faculty of Arts and Humanities
Faculty link: 
humanities.ut.ee
Faculty contacts link: 
Employee contacts
Faculty phone: 
+372 737 5341
Faculty address: 
Jakobi 2, rooms 116–121, 51005 Tartu
  • Dean's Office
    Faculty contacts link: 
    Employee contacts
    Faculty phone: 
    + 372 737 5341
    Faculty address: 
    Jakobi 2, rooms 116–121, 51005 Tartu
  • Institute of History and Archaeology
    Faculty link: 
    www.flaj.ut.ee
    Faculty contacts link: 
    Employee contacts
    Faculty phone: 
    +372 737 5651
    Faculty address: 
    Jakobi 2, 51005 Tartu
  • Institute of Estonian and General Linguistics
    Faculty link: 
    keel.ut.ee
    Faculty contacts link: 
    Employee contacts
    Faculty phone: 
    +372 737 5221
    Faculty address: 
    Jakobi 2, 51005 Tartu
  • Institute of Philosophy and Semiotics
    Faculty link: 
    www.flfi.ut.ee
    Faculty contacts link: 
    Employee contacts
    Faculty phone: 
    +372 737 5314
    Faculty address: 
    Jakobi 2, rooms 309–352, 51005 Tartu
  • Institute of Cultural Research
    Faculty link: 
    www.flku.ut.ee
    Faculty contacts link: 
    Employee contacts
    Faculty phone: 
    (+372) 737 5223
    Faculty address: 
    Ülikooli 16, 51003 Tartu
  • School of Theology and Religious Studies
    Faculty link: 
    us.ut.ee
    Faculty contacts link: 
    Employee contacts
    Faculty phone: 
    +372 737 5301
    Faculty address: 
    Ülikooli 18–310, 50090 Tartu
  • College of Foreign Languages and Cultures
    Faculty link: 
    maailmakeeled.ut.ee
    Faculty contacts link: 
    Employee contacts
    Faculty address: 
    Lossi 3, 51003 Tartu
  • Viljandi Culture Academy
    Faculty link: 
    kultuur.ut.ee
    Faculty contacts link: 
    Employee contacts
    Faculty phone: 
    +372 435 5232
    Faculty address: 
    Posti 1, 71004 Viljandi
Faculty of Social Sciences
Faculty link: 
socialsciences.ut.ee
Faculty contacts link: 
Employee contacts
Faculty phone: 
+372 737 5957
Faculty address: 
Lossi 36, 51003 Tartu
  • Dean's Office
    Faculty contacts link: 
    Employee contacts
    Faculty phone: 
    + 372 737 5900
    Faculty address: 
    Lossi 36, 51003 Tartu
  • Institute of Education
    Faculty link: 
    www.ht.ut.ee
    Faculty contacts link: 
    Employee contacts
    Faculty phone: 
    +372 737 6440
    Faculty address: 
    Salme 1a–29, 50103 Tartu
  • Johan Skytte Institute of Political Studies
    Faculty link: 
    skytte.ut.ee
    Faculty contacts link: 
    Employee contacts
    Faculty phone: 
    +372 737 5582
    Faculty address: 
    Lossi 36–301, 51003 Tartu
  • School of Economics and Business Administration
    Faculty link: 
    majandus.ut.ee
    Faculty contacts link: 
    Employee contacts
    Faculty phone: 
    +372 737 6310
    Faculty address: 
    J. Liivi 4, 50409 Tartu
  • Institute of Psychology
    Faculty link: 
    psychology.ut.ee
    Faculty contacts link: 
    Employee contacts
    Faculty phone: 
    +372 737 5902
    Faculty address: 
    Näituse 2, 50409 Tartu
  • School of Law
    Faculty link: 
    law.ut.ee
    Faculty contacts link: 
    Employee contacts
    Faculty phone: 
    +372 737 5390
    Faculty address: 
    Näituse 20–324, 50409 Tartu
  • Institute of Social Studies
    Faculty link: 
    yti.ut.ee
    Faculty contacts link: 
    Employee contacts
    Faculty phone: 
    +372 737 5188
    Faculty address: 
    Lossi 36, 51003 Tartu
  • Narva College
    Faculty link: 
    www.narva.ut.ee
    Faculty contacts link: 
    Employee contacts
    Faculty phone: 
    +372 740 1900
    Faculty address: 
    Raekoja plats 2, 20307 Narva
  • Pärnu College
    Faculty link: 
    www.pc.ut.ee
    Faculty contacts link: 
    Employee contacts
    Faculty phone: 
    +372 445 0520
    Faculty address: 
    Ringi 35, 80012 Pärnu
Faculty of Medicine
Faculty link: 
medicine.ut.ee
Faculty contacts link: 
Employee contacts
Faculty phone: 
+372 737 5326
Faculty address: 
Ravila 19, 50411 Tartu
  • Dean's Office
    Faculty contacts link: 
    Employee contacts
    Faculty phone: 
    +372 737 5326
    Faculty address: 
    Ravila 19, 50411 Tartu
  • Institute of Biomedicine and Translational Medicine
    Faculty link: 
    biomeditsiin.ut.ee
    Faculty contacts link: 
    Employee contacts
    Faculty phone: 
    +372 737 4210
    Faculty address: 
    Biomeedikum, Ravila 19, 50411 Tartu
  • Institute of Pharmacy
    Faculty link: 
    farmaatsia.ut.ee
    Faculty contacts link: 
    Employee contacts
    Faculty phone: 
    +372 737 5286
    Faculty address: 
    Nooruse 1, 50411 Tartu
  • Institute of Dentistry
    Faculty link: 
    hambaarstiteadus.ut.ee
    Faculty contacts link: 
    Employee contacts
    Faculty phone: 
    +372 731 9856
    Faculty address: 
    Raekoja plats 6, 51003 Tartu
  • Institute of Clinical Medicine
    Faculty link: 
    clinicalmedicine.ut.ee
    Faculty contacts link: 
    Employee contacts
    Faculty phone: 
    +372 737 5323
    Faculty address: 
    L. Puusepa 8, 50406 Tartu
  • Institute of Family Medicine and Public Health
    Faculty link: 
    tervis.ut.ee
    Faculty contacts link: 
    Employee contacts
    Faculty phone: 
    +372 737 4190
    Faculty address: 
    Ravila 19, 50411 Tartu
  • Institute of Sport Sciences and Physiotherapy
    Faculty link: 
    www.kk.ut.ee
    Faculty contacts link: 
    Employee contacts
    Faculty phone: 
    +372 737 5360
    Faculty address: 
    Jakobi 5–205, 51005 Tartu
Faculty of Science and Technology
Faculty link: 
science.ut.ee
Faculty contacts link: 
Employee contacts
Faculty phone: 
+372 737 5820
Faculty address: 
Vanemuise 46–208, 51014 Tartu
  • Dean's Office
    Faculty contacts link: 
    Employee contacts
    Faculty phone: 
    +372 737 5820
    Faculty address: 
    Vanemuise 46–208, 51005 Tartu
  • Institute of Computer Science
    Faculty link: 
    cs.ut.ee
    Faculty contacts link: 
    Employee contacts
    Faculty phone: 
    +372 737 5445
    Faculty address: 
    J. Liivi 2, 50409 Tartu
  • Estonian Marine Institute
    Faculty link: 
    mereinstituut.ut.ee
    Faculty contacts link: 
    Employee contacts
    Faculty phone: 
    +372 671 8902
    Faculty address: 
    Mäealuse 14, 12618 Tallinn
  • Institute of Physics
    Faculty link: 
    www.fi.ut.ee
    Faculty contacts link: 
    Employee contacts
    Faculty address: 
    W. Ostwaldi 1, 50411 Tartu
  • Institute of Chemistry
    Faculty link: 
    chem.ut.ee
    Faculty contacts link: 
    Employee contacts
    Faculty phone: 
    +372 737 5261
    Faculty address: 
    Ravila 14a, 50411 Tartu
  • Institute of Mathematics and Statistics
    Faculty link: 
    www.math.ut.ee
    Faculty contacts link: 
    Employee contacts
    Faculty phone: 
    +372 737 5860
    Faculty address: 
    J. Liivi 2, 50409 Tartu
  • Institute of Molecular and Cell Biology
    Faculty link: 
    tymri.ut.ee
    Faculty contacts link: 
    Employee contacts
    Faculty phone: 
    +372 737 5011
    Faculty address: 
    Riia 23, 23b–134, 51010 Tartu
  • Tartu Observatory
    Faculty link: 
    www.kosmos.ut.ee
    Faculty contacts link: 
    Employee contacts
    Faculty phone: 
    +372 737 4510
    Faculty address: 
    Observatooriumi 1, Tõravere, 61602 Tartumaa
  • Institute of Technology
    Faculty link: 
    tuit.ut.ee
    Faculty contacts link: 
    Employee contacts
    Faculty phone: 
    +372 737 4800
    Faculty address: 
    Nooruse 1, 50411 Tartu
  • Institute of Ecology and Earth Sciences
    Faculty link: 
    www.omi.ut.ee
    Faculty contacts link: 
    Employee contacts
    Faculty phone: 
    +372 737 5835
    Faculty address: 
    Vanemuise 46, 51003 Tartu
Institutions
  • Library
    Faculty link: 
    utlib.ut.ee
    Faculty contacts link: 
    Employee contacts
    Faculty phone: 
    +372 737 5702
    Faculty address: 
    W. Struve 1, 50091 Tartu
  • Youth Academy
    Faculty link: 
    teaduskool.ut.ee
    Faculty contacts link: 
    Employee contacts
    Faculty phone: 
    +372 737 5581
    Faculty address: 
    Uppsala 10, 51003 Tartu
  • Institute of Genomics
    Faculty link: 
    genomics.ut.ee
    Faculty contacts link: 
    Employee contacts
    Faculty phone: 
    +372 737 4000
    Faculty address: 
    Riia 23b, 51010 Tartu
  • Museum
    Faculty link: 
    muuseum.ut.ee
    Faculty contacts link: 
    Employee contacts
    Faculty phone: 
    +372 737 5674
    Faculty address: 
    Lossi 25, 51003 Tartu
  • University of Tartu Natural History Museum and Botanical Garden
    Faculty link: 
    natmuseum.ut.ee
    Faculty contacts link: 
    https://www.ut.ee/en/kontakt/loodusmuuseum-botaanikaaed-0
    Faculty phone: 
    +372 737 6076
    Faculty address: 
    Vanemuise 46, 51003 Tartu
Support Units
  • Administrative Office
    Faculty contacts link: 
    Employee contacts
    Faculty phone: 
    +372 737 5606
    Faculty address: 
    Ülikooli 18a, 51005 Tartu
  • Centre for Entrepreneurship and Innovation
    Faculty contacts link: 
    Employee contacts
    Faculty phone: 
    +372 737 6339
    Faculty address: 
    Lossi 3, III floor, 51003 Tartu
  • University Office in Tallinn
    Faculty link: 
    University Office in Tallinn
    Faculty contacts link: 
    Employeescontacts
    Faculty phone: 
    +372 737 6600
    Faculty address: 
    Teatri väljak 3, 10143 Tallinn
  • Estates Office
    Faculty contacts link: 
    Employee contacts
    Faculty phone: 
    +372 737 5137
    Faculty address: 
    Ülikooli 18a, 51005 Tartu
  • Finance Office
    Faculty contacts link: 
    Employee contacts
    Faculty phone: 
    +372 737 5125
    Faculty address: 
    Jakobi 4, 51005 Tartu
  • Grant Office
    Faculty contacts link: 
    Employee contacts
    Faculty phone: 
    +372 737 6215
    Faculty address: 
    Lossi 3, III floor, 51003 Tartu
  • Information Technology Office
    Faculty contacts link: 
    Employee contacts
    Faculty phone: 
    +372 737 6000, IT-help: +372 737 5500
    Faculty address: 
    Ülikooli 18a, 51005 Tartu
  • Human Resources Office
    Faculty contacts link: 
    Employee contacts
    Faculty phone: 
    +372 737 5145
    Faculty address: 
    Ülikooli 18, rooms 302 and 304, 50090 Tartu
  • Internal Audit Office
    Faculty contacts link: 
    Employee contacts
    Faculty address: 
    Ülikooli 17–103, 51005 Tartu
  • Marketing and Communication Office
    Faculty contacts link: 
    Employee contacts
    Faculty phone: 
    +372 737 5687
    Faculty address: 
    Ülikooli 18, rooms 102, 104, 209, 210, 50090 Tartu
  • Office of Academic Affairs
    Faculty contacts link: 
    Employee contacts
    Faculty phone: 
    +372 737 5620
    Faculty address: 
    Ülikooli 18, 50090 Tartu
  • Procurement Office
    Faculty contacts link: 
    Employee contacts
    Faculty phone: 
    +372 737 6632
    Faculty address: 
    Ülikooli 18a, 51005 Tartu
  • Rector's Office
  • Rector's Strategy Office
    Faculty contacts link: 
    Employee contacts
    Faculty phone: 
    +372 737 5600
    Faculty address: 
    Ülikooli 18, 50090 Tartu
  • Student Council
    Faculty link: 
    tyye.ut.ee
    Faculty contacts link: 
    Employee contacts
    Faculty phone: 
    +372 737 5400
    Faculty address: 
    Ülikooli 18b, 51005 Tartu
  • University of Tartu Press
    Faculty link: 
    www.tyk.ee
    Faculty contacts link: 
    Employee contacts
    Faculty phone: 
    +372 737 5945
    Faculty address: 
    W. Struve 1, 50091 Tartu
Other Units
  • University of Tartu Academic Sports Club
    Faculty link: 
    sport.ut.ee
    Faculty phone: 
    +372 737 5371
    Faculty address: 
    Ujula 4, 51008 Tartu
  • Tartu Student Village
    Faculty link: 
    campus.ee
    Faculty phone: 
    +372 740 9959
    Faculty address: 
    Narva mnt 25, 51013 Tartu
  • Tartu Students’ Club
    Faculty link: 
    www.tym.ee
    Faculty phone: 
    +372 730 2400
    Faculty address: 
    Kalevi 24, 51010 Tartu
  • Tartu University Hospital
    Faculty link: 
    www.kliinikum.ee/eng
    Faculty address: 
    L. Puusepa 1a, 50406 Tartu
  • University of Tartu Foundation
    Faculty link: 
    sihtasutus.ut.ee/en
    Faculty phone: 
    +372 737 5852
    Faculty address: 
    Ülikooli 18, 50090 Tartu
  • View all other units
    Faculty link: 
    www.ut.ee/en/other-units

Good School model

The Centre for Ethics of the University of Tartu and its numerous collaborators were motivated to develop the Good School Model in order to challenge the one-sided approach of School League Tables as the sole criteria for goodness of a school as it can be harmful for the development of schools and cooperation between schools. Good School Model calls for a whole-school approach to the roles of teacher and student and the recognition of the importance of cooperation on all levels. Around 90 experts all over Estonia were involved in the process of developing the Good School Model, including educational researchers, school principals, teachers, representatives of various unions, the Estonian Ministry for Education and Research officials and representatives of local councils.

The Good School Model aims to find what constitutes a good school and what kind of good practices could be shared with different schools across Estonia. The whole-school approach calls for collaboration between different counterparts in school: school personnel, students, parents and local school authorities to self-analyze and better their school. Schools use the self-evaluation criteria in the Good School Model to describe the goals and actions in their school and are encouraged to find tools of evaluation to prove the usefulness of the practice. The aim of the Good School Model is to describe different aspects of a good school and to find the criteria that indicate that a school actually deals with these aspects.

During the process, the Good School Model and the team from the Centre for Ethics, University of Tartu provides schools with self-evaluation criteria (four different fields of the model and its descriptive aspects); professional feedback from Critical Friends in the analyzing process; and creates networking opportunities for schools to share their good practices with other schools during network trainings.

The new national curricula for basic and upper secondary schools stress that a school has both educational and character building functions. A school should support the personal and social development of each student and the development of critical thinking, creativity and entrepreneurship. This, however, requires a novel approach to the roles of teacher and student and the recognition of the importance of cooperation on all levels. With the focus on cooperation and development in education, the understanding of the role of teacher/supervisor as an authoritarian source of academic knowledge is no longer adequate. 

Besides knowledge, attitudes in the sphere of values and skills are also important. In order to bring children up as happy persons, different parties need to cooperate – schools, homes, hobby schools, youth centres, local councils, and the state. However, at the moment there are no league tables and no evaluation criteria for these activities, and as they are not evaluated, they are not acknowledged and do not receive sufficient attention.

If we have the aim of reforming the educational process, a reform of evaluation practices as applied to schools is also necessary. Teachers’ readiness to support students’ personal and social development is not enough if the success of their work is still evaluated solely on the basis of students’ academic achievement. As long as the examination results are the sole criterion of a school’s success, schools will not have sufficient motivation to develop all important aspects.  Thus, it is very important that school personnel, parents and local school authorities understand that a good school is a complex phenomenon and for evaluating it different criteria and different tools are necessary.

87 Estonian experts are involved in the process of developing the good school model, including educational researchers, school principals, teachers, representatives of various unions, the Estonian Ministry for Education and Research officials and representatives of local councils.