Policy-making for Education Reform in Developing Countries: Contexts and Processes

by James H. Williams, William K. Cummings

Here is the first book in a two-volume series by James H. Williams and William K. Cummings designed to help those working, or preparing to work, as education change agents in developing countries. Each volume describes an approach to education reform that is: Political and empirical, A series of choices rather than a single best approach, Implementation-centered, and Evaluation-focused. This book will help change agents acquire a deeper, more comprehensive understanding of the policy process and how it can be influenced. Volume I outlines the contexts and processes of reform which is best understood in the multiple contexts of history and system foundation, reform strategy, micro-organization, socio-politics, and implementation while avoiding purely technical, political, top-down, or bottom-up strategies. It argues that the best approach to reform is one negotiated by participants in light of the needs and interests of decision-making, implementing, and institutionalizing contexts. The reform process is presented as a series of choices at each stage: Assessment, Goal-setting, Policy decision, Implementation Evaluation, and Institutionalization. Deep change is more likely when participants are engaged in the change process at each stage. This book will be of interest to all education officials.

320 pages, Paperback

First published March 31, 2005