School Turnaround and Collaborative Networks: China's Search for Improving Public Education

• In Event: Drawing on the Power of Networks for School Improvement

Abstract

school turnaround has become a persistent challenge for the governments of most countries all around the world. Many studies have examined how turnaround schools are enhanced by relying on their own efforts, as well as introducing local governments’ and third-party actors’ forces. However, how turnaround schools, local governments and third-party actors interact with each other and how their interactions shape respective behaviors are under-research. With reference to Shanghai, this study aims to explore the dynamics and complexities of the interactions among turnaround schools, local governments and quality schools as third-party actors. This study argues that different actors undertake different roles and employ different strategies to interact with each other in three different interaction patterns, including government-led, school-led and all-motivated networks.

Author

• Yuan Tao, The University of Hong Kong