To What Ends?: Educational Reform Around the World

Abstract

"Many 'reforms'—such as those related to welfare programs in the United States—can be actually seen as “deforms.” These so-called “reforms” have led to increasing impoverishment and lives of misery for many instead of improving the lives of individuals and their communities. In examining educational initiatives that are purported to contribute to improvements in educational equity, quality, and efficiency—the three major challenges facing educational systems around the world—it is useful to examine who is instituting the changes, based on what assumptions and values (i.e., what ideologies), with what ends in mind, and with what outcomes. In basic policy analysis, a leading question is who pays and who benefits from efforts to change or reinforce the status quo." In this essay, Professor Arnove discusses some issues related to this question.