Reform and convergence in school education: International perspectives

Abstract

Although policy documents indicate that there are three main patterns of educational review (predetermined cycles, continuous review programmes, and ad hoc reviews) it is clear that most education systems are subject to constant change. Moreover, international comparisons suggest that there are converging approaches adopted by groups of countries as they face common challenges and seek to prepare their young people to work and live within a global economy. This chapter explores the stimuli for educational reform, identifies areas of change, and raises some issues. It concludes by highlighting a harmonising trend, whereby European countries appear to be relinquishing some of their sovereignty with respect to education, in the interest of collective economic competitiveness. © 2007 Springer Science+Business Media B.V.