The Future of Educational Change: International Perspectives »

Ciaran Sugrue is Reader in Leadership and School Improvement in the Faculty of Education, University of Cambridge.

This timely book provides a systematic overview and critique of contemporary approaches to educational change from some of the best-known writers and scholars in the field, including Andy Hargreaves, Larry Cuban, Ivor Goodson, Jeannie Oakes, Milbrey McLaughlin, Judyth Sachs and Ann Liebermann.

Divided into four sections, the book addresses the key themes:

• *What has been the impact of educational change?

• *How has the impact differed in different circumstances?

• *What are the new directions for research on policy and practice?

• *How can we link research, policy and practice?

By highlighting critical lessons from the past, the book aims to set an agenda for policy-related research and the future trajectories of educational reforms, while also taking into account the dominant rhetorics of international ‘social movements’ and the ‘refracted’ nature of policy agenda at national and local levels.

This book addresses issues which with many educators around the world are currently grappling. It will appeal to academics and researchers in the field, as well as providing an introduction to key issues and themes in Educational Change for graduates and practitioners.

Illustrations vii

Notes on contributors viii

Foreword xiii

Acknowledgements xvii

Introduction 1

Part I Educational change: for better or for worse? 13

1 The coming of post-standardization: three weddings and a funeral Andy Hargreaves 15

2 These may be good times: an argument that things are getting better Ben Levin 34

3 The plate tectonics of educational change in Ireland: consequences for research quality, policy and practice? Ciaran Sugrue 48

Part II Educational change: lessons from home and away 73

4 US school reform and classroom practice Larry Cuban 75

5 Community organizing for educational change: past illusions, future prospects Dennis Shirley 89

6 Roles for systematic social enquiry on policy and practice in mature educational systems John M. Owen 106

Part III Educational change: finding new directions? 121

7 Schooling, curriculum, narrative and the social future Ivor Goodson 123

8 Research and community organizing as tools for democratizing educational policymaking Jeannie Oakes Michelle Renee John Rogers Martin Lipton 136

9 Improving city schools: who and what makes the difference? Kathryn A. Riley 155

Part IV Educational change: linking research, policy and practice 173

10 Beyond 'misery research' - new opportunities for implementation research, policy and practice Milbrey McLaughlin 175

11 The knowledge society as a trigger for contemporary change in education policy and practice Judyth Sachs 191

12 How do teachers learn to lead? Ann Lieberman 204

Epilogue: the future of educational change? Ciaran Sugrue 219

Index 226