A Comparison Study on Education Reform: United States Versus China From 2000 to 2015

• In Event: Curriculum and Policy Reform From a Worldwide Perspective

Abstract

This study compares the two major education reforms that have happened in the U.S. and China from 2000 to 2015: No Child Left Behind (NCLB) legislation and the Chinese Curriculum Reform of Basic Education (CCRBE). The analysis is conducted from three perspectives: leadership, power-sharing, and curriculum and teacher education. The findings include both education reforms are organization-centered, and government controlled. However, the NCLB focused on test accountability while the CCRBE focused on the curriculum update and assessment flexibility. These comparisons have led to the main argument of this research: we need to advocate three things for future education reform: empowering the silenced voices through culture-based leadership, supporting collaborative and innovative ideas through power-sharing, and diversifying the curriculum, assessment, and instruction.

Author

• Jing Tan, Miami University (OH)