The governance of educational systems

Principles and guidelines

In these complex times, with a particularly open future, education is seen –by non-governmental organizations, large foundations, multilateral organizations and governments of countries located around the world– as a key piece of social progress and economic development. From this perspective, it is thought that, in order to achieve these goals, good government action is an essential factor; and the why, what and how of educational policies become preferential areas of reflection.

This book, whose target is training, aims to deepen into the keys to good governance of educational systems, but also to contribute to the introduction of these ideas in the real world. To that end, it:

• Describes and analyzes the context and challenges of educational systems and provides some conceptual tools to think about their complexity.

• Reflects on policies as pillars of governance, takes into consideration their metapolitical conditions, analyzes the relationship between politics and educational policies, and describes the international orientation and its projection towards the future.

• Develops the basic aspects of a rational approach to policies and their integration, and reflects on the crucial importance of policy implementation and its scientific approach.

• Addresses the broad notion of governance from a conceptual approach.

• Deepen into the description of different models for good educational governance.

• Presents an empirically based framework to guide quality governance that integrates previous models; and establishes an articulated set of characteristics for good governance of educational systems.

In short, this book provides a broad perspective to think about the educational reforms of the 21st century and provides detailed indications for the success of government actions, keeping in mind the preparation of a better future through education.

Francisco LÓPEZ RUPÉREZ has a PhD in Physical Sciences and High School Professor. He has extensive and varied experience in the fields of educational research, practice and policy. At present he is director of the Chair of Educational Policies at Camilo José Cela University. He was awarded with the Grand Cross of the Civil order of Alfonso X.

• Context and challenges of educational systems.

• Globalization and digital revolution. Thinking about the future, thinking about complexity. Modeling educational systems from complexity.

• Public policies, educational policies and metapolicies in the 21st century

• Four basic trends in the evolution of educational systems. International convergence of reference frameworks.

• A science-inspired approach to educational policy.

• Policies, priorities, evidence and intelligence. A systemic approach to educational policies. The critical importance of implementation.

• The issue of governance of education systems

• Concept of governance and its impact on the quality of education. Educational governance in a global context.

• Models for educational governance. Three models: classic model, complexity-based model and intelligent governance model. An integrated conceptual framework. Study of some examples: Portugal, Singapore, Finland.

• Regulatory framework for good educational governance.

• Construction process, framework definition and possible approaches.

• Assessment of the quality of the governance of educational systems.

• Description of the analytical framework in its three levels of specification.