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List of contents
Chapter 1 Why we need an alternative view of reform in developing countries
Chapter 2 The characteristics of neoliberal reforms in educational systems worldwide
Chapter 3 Conceptual models of modernity versus traditionalism: The colorful portrait of the developing world
Chapter 4 The failure of educational reforms in developing countries
Chapter 5 The communitarian perspective and education
Chapter 6 Major educational ideologies in developing countries
Chapter 7 The key role of the local community in educational reform
Chapter 8 Reform implementation in practice
Chapter 9 Reform management in the school
Chapter10 Towards a new conceptualization of education reforms in developing countries
Epilogue
Reference
About the author
Izhar Oplatka is Professor of Educational Administration and Leadership at the School of Education, Tel Aviv University, Israel, and Head of the Department of Educational Policy and Administration.
Summary
Underpinned in the stream of thought named ‘communitarianism’, Reforming Education in Developing Countries argues that developing countries need educational reforms that are tightly entwined into their cultural, social, and organizational contexts.
Additional text
"Reforming Education in Developing Countries is a timely addition to our knowledge base on leading the implementation of education reforms around the world. Over the past two decades, the tradewinds have carried education reforms originating in the USA, UK , Europe and Australia to developing societies throughout the world. Despite the rapid uptake by policymakers of reform policies focused on education quality, accountability, standards, and student achievement, the gap between aspiration and enactment appears to have only grown wider. Oplatka offers an insightful analysis of why this has been the case and proposes an alternate view that takes into account the nature of the communities in which reforms are being implemented. I strongly endorse scholars and practitioners in developing societies who may feel frustrated by the slow pace of reform enactment to read this volume in order to gain deeper insight into the causes of failure and the possibilities of a new path."
Dr. Philip Hallinger, Thailand Sustainable Development Foundation Chair Professor of Leadership, Mahidol University, and Distinguished Visiting Professor of Education, University of Johannesburg.
"Oplatka has established himself as a leading scholar of school leadership and education reform. In Reforming Education in Developing Countries he actively challenges the applicability of reforms flowing from neoliberal agendas in western societies to countries with very different cultural, social and developmental compositions. His call for recognising the role of community in the policy process in developing societies promises a major rethink of the how, why and what of global education reforms. This book elevates Oplatka’s standing in the field as an original and evocative writer. It is a must-read for anyone interested in education reform internationally."
Allan Walker, Joseph Lau Chair Professor of Internationa
