International Perspectives on Innovation for Public Education in an Era of Educational Inequality

Session Type: Symposium

Abstract

A widening education gap between the rich and the poor is a growing concern not only for the United States but also for many countries including high-achieving countries, such as South Korea and Taiwan. Accordingly, policymakers and educators in these countries have made efforts to reduce educational inequality by reforming their mainstream educational systems. Yet, little is known about how these high-achieving countries reform public education in an era of educational inequality. To address this gap, this session presents an opportunity to learn how South Korea and Taiwan reshape public education to better address educational (in)equality, compared to the United States. The session will offer important insights into American educational researchers and policymakers as to new directions for public education.

Sub Unit

• International Relations Committee

Chair

• Adam Gamoran, William T. Grant Foundation

Papers

• Teaching About Inequality as a Strategy for Promoting Social Equality - John S. Rogers, University of California - Los Angeles

• Between Public Good and Private Interests: Exploring the Values of Public Education in Taiwan - Chin-Ju Mao, National Taiwan Normal University

• Innovative Policy Actions Against Educational Inequality: The Equitable Difference Policy of the Seoul Metropolitan Office of Education - Heeyeon Cho, Seoul Metropolitan Office of Education; Hyejin Shin, Seoul Education Research & Information Institute

• Expanding Access to High-Quality Early Childhood Education: A Promising Lever for Reducing Korea's Socioeconomic Inequalities in Education - Soojin Susan Oh, University of Washington - Seattle

Discussants

• Grace Kao, Yale University

• Soo-yong Byun, The Pennsylvania State University