Changes in School Curriculum Administration in China

Abstract

Purpose: —This study focuses on the establishment and evolution of the school curriculum administrative system in China. Design/Approach/Methods: —Based on policy papers and documents, this paper explores changes of the concept, tradition and practices of curriculum administration in China. Findings: —The curriculum administration since 1949 has developed from an “excessively centralized curriculum administration” model to a “sharing-based curriculum administration”. China's three-level curriculum administrative system, comprising a national-, local-, and school-level curriculum administration framework, is explained and analyzed. Originality/Value: —This is a comprehensive scholarly review of historical changes in school curriculum administration in China. This paper also provides provocative suggestions for future development of school curriculum administration in the Chinese context.