Policy-making for Education Reform in Developing Countries

Here is the first book in a two-volume series by James H. Williams and William K. Cummings designed to help those working, or preparing to work, as education change agents in developing countries. Each volume describes an approach to education reform that is: Political and empirical, A series of choices rather than a single best approach, Implementation-centered, and Evaluation-focused. This book will help change agents acquire a deeper, more comprehensive understanding of the policy process and how it can be influenced. Volume I outlines the contexts and processes of reform which is best understood in the multiple contexts of history and system foundation, reform strategy, micro-organization, socio-politics, and implementation while avoiding purely technical, political, top-down, or bottom-up strategies. It argues that the best approach to reform is one negotiated by participants in light of the needs and interests of decision-making, implementing, and institutionalizing contexts. The reform process is presented as a series of choices at each stage: Assessment, Goal-setting, Policy decision, Implementation Evaluation, and Institutionalization. Deep change is more likely when participants are engaged in the change process at each stage. This book will be of interest to all education officials.

The book is designed to teach techniques of education policy-making while also making the reader aware of limitations and alternative strategies, both bottom-up and top-down. Coverage includes background discussion of the contexts of reform and aspects of the process followed by practical tools and options for translating the components into a reform program.

James H. Williams is assistant professor of international education and international affairs at The George Washington University. Dr. Williams has worked in 18 countries, and authored over 40 books, articles, and monographs in the field. William K. Cummings is assistant professor of international education and international affairs at The George Washington University. Dr. Cummings has served as policy advisor to the governments of Indonesia, Sri Lanka, and Ethiopia and has examined a wide range of policy issues in education and national development, particularly in East Asia and sub-Saharan Africa. He has worked in over 25 countries and is author of more than 150 books, articles, and monographs.