There is constant pressure on governments and policy makers to raise the standard of education, and to develop appropriate curriculum and pedagogies for students. It is no easy task. This book presents eight specific case studies of education reform implementation which capture how the design and implementation choices of policy makers are shaped by national and historical contexts. They offer real examples of the choices and constraints faced by policymakers and practitioners. The cases are a mix of nationally and locally mandated reforms with five examples from nations where the state initiated and guided reforms. The concluding synthesis chapter highlights commonalities and differences across the cases and disparate responses to shared concerns. Providing a breadth of real-world research, it will assist policy makers, practitioners and other stakeholders interested in system change.

'This book offers governments, policymakers, and academics systematic guidelines and strengthens practitioner knowledge to improve the design and implementation of education reform with regard to local conditions. […] this volume succeeds in advancing the conversation on the effective implementation of reform and creating space for further research.' Yi Liu, Comparative Education

Colleen McLaughlin is a Professor and Director of Education Innovation at the Faculty of Education at the University of Cambridge. She directs the Education Reform and Innovation team, who work internationally and nationally on aspects of education reform and development. Alan Ruby is a Senior Fellow in the Graduate School of Education at the University of Pennsylvania. He has worked on education reform projects in over twenty countries.