Overview

This book explores the dynamic interplay between two fundamental but often conflicting forces within the educational landscape: managerialism and professionalism. Educational reform has long been shaped by a cyclical pattern of tightening and loosening control – an oscillation between the managerial impulse to standardize and the professional need for autonomy. The book examines how this dynamic unfolds in different educational contexts, with a particular focus on the United States and China. Tracing the evolution of reform efforts, examining the tension between managerialism and professionalism, and rethinking the use of data in decision-making, it argues for a shift from top-down control to “data-informed sensemaking,” ultimately advocating for educational systems in which professionalism “leads the dance” and ensures that they truly serve students, teachers, and communities. The book will appeal to scholars, students, and practitioners in the fields of educational management, leadership, administration, and policy.

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9781041087298

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Author Information

Xingyuan Gao is an associate professor at the Department of Education, East China Normal University. Dr. Gao’s academic endeavors cover a wide array of educational topics, with a particular emphasis on school reform under emerging themes such as social and emotional learning (SEL) and data-informed decisionmaking. His scholarship integrates leadership theory, educational policy analysis, and the utilization of technologies within K-12 education systems. Gao’s prolific contributions to academic literature include 25 journal articles and 4 book chapters, alongside active engagement with the academic community through presentations at national conferences dedicated to K-12 educational leadership.

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