The Politics of Alternative Teacher Preparation in China

• In Event: Interrogating Neoliberal Trends in Teacher Education

Abstract

The establishment of fast-track teacher preparation programs in China represents something that would seem superficially unexpected considering the nation’s strong state politics. The People’s Republic of China is a single-party state governed by the Chinese Communist Party. While China is a nation that is comprised of province-level administrative divisions, the centralized authority of the state largely negates the potential autonomy of China’s provinces. Focusing specifically on China, this paper explores how fast-track certification programs represent a curious example of neoliberalism with “Chinese characteristics.” Highlighting the politics surrounding: Teach For China and Teach Future China, I argue that while these organizations may seem to challenge longstanding models of teacher preparation, in practice both work to support state-driven approaches to educational reform.

Author

• Christopher B. Crowley, Wayne State University