Education reform refers to significant revisions to laws, standards, curriculum and methodology governing a nation’s educational institutions. These changes can be aimed at a range of goals, including preparing a ruling class to govern, teaching cultural literacy and assimilating immigrants into democratic society, or providing skilled labor for a rapidly growing industrialized economy.
Countries that excel in education set clear, ambitious goals for their students at the national or state/province level. This allows for a unified vision that can persist through political cycles and leadership turnover.
They prioritize foundational learning and support educators in their instructional practices using research about what improves student outcomes. They rally stakeholders around a few priorities and communicate with families to build support for improvements. They create a system for scalable improvements and stay open to innovative reforms that complement successful practices. They pace the rollout of initiatives to gain early traction while building stamina for reaching longer-term goals. They organize dedicated delivery teams to carry out plans over time and measure results.
They are open to new educational models and options, such as charter schools and private school vouchers. They encourage innovation, but they also keep their eye on the goal: providing equal access to a world-class public education. They have a deep respect for teachers’ professional judgment and experience and recognize the central role of public education in fostering civic engagement and social mobility. They understand that teaching and learning are complicated.
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