Pluralist publics in market driven education: towards more democracy in educational reform

Social democracy and market reform in Australia and New Zealand

Social democratic governments in Australia and New Zealand adopted policies of radical free market reform, including financial deregulation, privatisation and public sector reform in the 1980s. Because of the absence of institutional obstacles to government action, reform was faster and more comprehensive in New Zealand than in Australia. The New Zealand reforms were associated with increasing ...

Educational Reform and Current Education Initiatives

Towards more effective education

The quality of education is of prime importance. Is this quality being achieved effectively? Can education achieve better quality with the current level of resources? Is there an adequate awareness of effectivity in education, and is there sufficient knowledge of the cost of education at the practical level? In the Education Council's view, effectiveness is a valid approach, but not the only on...

Responsibility and Accountability in Educational Leadership Keeping Democracy and Social Justice Central to Reform

U programs in educational leadership have been criticized for failing to prepare effective leaders for our nation’s schools. Many of these critics are demanding signifi cant changes to leadership preparation programs, however, amidst these strident calls for change there has been very little dialogue about or consensus on what we as members of a democratic society believe capable educational le...

Education Reform in Singapore: Towards Greater Creativity and Innovation?

The beginning of the twenty-first century is an exciting time for education in Singapore. There is constant talk of the need to reexamine old ways of thinking and doing things and of the concomitant need for flexibility, creativity and innovation. Although education policy has been a prime instrument for the fostering of socioeconomic development ever since the ruling People’s Action Party came...