When it comes to school reform and education reform, it is important to know that there are basically two distinct forms of school reform, and each has a different impact on the school, the students and the education that is provided. The first type of school reform is specifically related to the subject matter and the teaching methods for the school and the second is related to the governance procedures and the administration of the school.
Types of School Reform
The type of reform that is specifically related to the subject matter and the teaching methods for the school is going to affect what the children are taught as well as how they are taught within the classroom. Some of the most common types of reforms include back to basics, whole language instruction, concept based mathematics, using computers and other technology in the classroom and stressing the multicultural influence on literature and history for example. Curriculum guides are constantly being developed that exist to describe what all students should be able to do and should know in order to be successful in school and life.
The type of reform that is related to the governance procedures and the administration of the school is going to affect how the school is managed as well as what types of roles the administrators and the teachers will play. Decision making based on site, shared leadership and programs for community involvement are all examples of school and education reform that involve governance procedures and school administration. Education reform of this magnitude is capable of being started from the powers inside the school or outside of the school depending on what the school’s needs are. For example, policymakers in the government may launch school reform, and policymakers inside the school may also launch their own programs for education reform.