Full Description
The global education crisis is a complex problem that requires change from teachers, school managers, civil society, implementers, planners, governments and donors. Addressing the issues that lie beneath this crisis requires new ways of working. Systems thinking is a suite of approaches to grappling with complex problems that is beginning to gain traction in international education. This book brings together new research in the nascent field of systems thinking in international education.
Outlining the implications that systems thinking can hold for future research, practice and progress towards Sustainable Development Goal 4, a diverse range of leading scholars, policymakers and practitioners present novel research to encourage the shift from a linear view of change to a systems view. Chapters present diverse approaches to applying systems thinking in education across middle- and low-income countries, alongside research on how this has changed mindsets more widely. Questioning notions such as scaling and the universal applicability of 'what works', authors here suggest that locally relevant evidence and systemic rewards for using it are necessary to achieve SDG 4. This innovative book exemplifies how systems thinking offers the tools, frameworks and concepts to improve outcomes in education systems.
With the education crisis further exacerbated by the COVID-19 pandemic, this timely book is essential reading for all those concerned with education and sustainable development goals. This thought-provoking book should be read by all those working to achieve SDG4; those whose day jobs inspire them and who look to their bookshelves for new ideas.
Contents
Contents:
Foreword xiv
Gita Steiner-Khamsi
Acknowledgements xv
1 Introduction to Systems Thinking in International
Education and Development 1
Moira V. Faul and Laura Savage
PART I FROM PRACTICE TO SYSTEMS THINKING
2 Reflections on systems practice: implementing
teaching at the right level in Zambia 27
Varja Lipovsek, Laura Poswell, Ashleigh Morrell,
Devyani Pershad, Nico Vromant and Abe Grindle
3 Collaborative professionalism and education
system change: new evidence from Kenya, India
and Rwanda 47
Charlotte Jones, John Rutayisire, Donvan
Amenya, Jean-Pierre Mugiraneza and Katie Godwin
4 Global education funders' perspectives on the
potential of systems thinking to change education
practices and achieve mass learning gains 69
Laura Savage, Clio Dintilhac, Raphaelle
Martinez, Tjip Walker and Jason Weaver
PART II FROM THEORIES TO SYSTEMS
THINKING AND PRACTICES
5 Understanding travelling reforms from a systems
perspective 86
Gita Steiner-Khamsi
6 Using a systems approach to education and
development: insights from a multi-country
research programme on access and learning 106
Keith M. Lewin
7 System coherence for learning: applications of the
RISE education systems framework 140
Michelle Kaffenberger and Marla Spivack
PART III APPLYING SYSTEMS APPROACHES IN PRACTICE
8 Adapting inclusive systems development (ISD) to
vocational education and training (VET) and skills
development 163
Mike Klassen, Sandra Rothboeck and Ailsa Buckley
9 Systems, complexity and realist evaluation:
reflections from a large-scale education policy
evaluation in Colombia 188
Juan David Parra and D. Brent Edwards Jr
10 Can systems thinking tools help us better
understand education problems and design
appropriate support? Reflections on a test case 209
Elena Walls and Laura Savage
PART IV CONCLUSION
11 Conclusion: beyond silver bullet solutions 228
Moira V. Faul and Laura Savage
Index
