System-Wide Educational Reform Agenda in Shanghai Supporting Leadership for Learning

Abstract

Drawing on the analysis of interview data collected in 2015 from six schools in Shanghai, this paper focuses on leadership for system-wide educational improvement and teacher professional learning and development in Shanghai. The findings show that Shanghai has a consistent system leadership on strategic alignment and a systems approach to implementation. The primary focus of leadership within the schools is principal instructional leadership and teacher leadership. School continuous improvement is organized around effective teacher learning and student learning. Collaborative professional learning and shared responsibility are built into the daily lives of teachers and school leaders. Leadership is contextualized and culturally dependent. The system-wide culture of policy implementation effectively influences and shapes school leadership decisions and actions.