Fostering positive and inclusive school environments through positive psychology strategies, enhancing the academic optimism and well-being of students and educators across Europe.
Description of the project
The OPE project addresses the growing need to integrate well-being and learning in European school systems, especially in light of social, economic, and global health challenges. Based on the principles of positive psychology, OPE develops and implements strategies to enhance academic optimism and self-efficacy in schools.
“Academic optimism” refers to a school-wide belief that students are capable of learning at high levels, that teachers can positively influence that learning, and that families and communities play a meaningful role in the process. It combines three elements—collective efficacy, trust in students and parents, and an academic emphasis—into a shared mindset that nurtures resilience and high expectations even in the face of challenges.
With the term “self efficacy” one refers to the confidence individuals hold in their own ability to organize and execute the actions needed to achieve “a goal. In the academic setting, it reflects a student’s belief that they can master difficult tasks, overcome setbacks, and ultimately succeed through effort and persistence. Both terms come from positive psychology field.
The project uses a systemic and participatory approach, involving educators, students, school psychologist, school leaders and policymakers to co-create resilient, inclusive learning environments that support personal growth and academic success.
Objectives
- To define the needs of schools and staff in education, to increase motivation and to raise awareness of the importance and potential of academic optimism and efficacy. To emphasise their role as tools which promote the well-being necessary for positive development within the current and future education system as well as for progress towards a more inclusive and caring society.
- To develop the OPE Framework along with training modules which are adaptable to different educational and geographical contexts. In this way, preparing Training Operators (TOs) to support, assist and train staff in education in developing the skills necessary to foster a positive, resilient school culture based on the principles of academic optimism and efficacy.
- To test, validate and evaluate the training modules through a cyclical process of validation, refinement and impact assessment, with the aim of ensuring high standards and that the needs of target groups as regards promoting academic optimism and efficacy are met.
- To contribute to and advocate for sustainable policies for the adoption of academic optimism and efficacy in schools across the EU and to mainstream the OPE approach in order for it to have a positive impact on education and training systems in different countries and contexts.
Activities
- Needs analysis through surveys and focus groups involving key education stakeholders.
- Co-design, development and piloting of training modules, an educational framework, and self-reflection tools.
- School-level implementation of OPE practices with local adaptations and co-designed activities.
- Dissemination and advocacy actions, including national workshops, an international conference, and policy recommendations.
Results
Resources
- OPE Competency framework
- OPE Training modules and toolkits for educators
- OPERT – “Optimistic Pathways in Education” self-Reflection Tool
- E-learning platform for training and dissemination of OPE practices
Impact
- Empowered educators and school leaders with improved motivation and well-being.
- Enhanced student resilience and academic engagement, especially in disadvantaged communities.
- Strengthened transnational cooperation among educational institutions, communities, and policymakers.
Partners
- Coordinator: Regional Directorate of Education of Western Macedonia, Greece
- IoD, Cyprus
- Die Berater, Austria
- KMOP Education and Innovation Hub, Greece
- Centro per lo Sviluppo Creativo Danilo Dolci – ETS, Italy
- Üsküdar MEM, Turkey
