Innovative Policy Actions Against Educational Inequality: The Equitable Difference Policy of the Seoul Metropolitan Office of Education

• In Event: International Perspectives on Innovation for Public Education in an Era of Educational Inequality

Abstract

inequality has been persistent in many countries around the world. Numerous efforts have been made to alleviate educational inequality in many countries. Yet, educational inequality still exists in many countries and even grows in some countries. If eliminating educational inequality entirely is impossible, then it may be better to embrace it and to make efforts to offset it.
In this regard, the current study introduces the Equitable Difference Policy (EDP) initiated by the Seoul Metropolitan Office of Education (SMOE) in South Korea. EDP emphasizes selective welfare rather than universal welfare. In other words, this policy aims to accentuate less support to the stronger, but more support for the weaker. We believe that eventually the equitable difference is a realistic route toward equitable sameness.
In this paper, we discuss various policy actions against educational inequality, which have been implemented as part of EDP. Ball (1993) noted that because there is a gap between policy-makers and policy implementation, policy analysis needs to be addressed by all-encompassing concepts of the policy definition. Building on Ball’s policy analysis concept, we address (1) how EDP aims to promote elements associated with educational input, process, and output, (2) how EDP has been activated in the policy implementation, and (3) how EDP should be redesigned for further policy revision. This paper will deliver significant innovative policy actions that aim to reduce educational inequality.

Authors

• Heeyeon Cho, Seoul Metropolitan Office of Education

• Hyejin Shin, Seoul Education Research & Information Institute