Sponsored by the Consortium for Policy Research in Education

Drawing on theoretical models, case studies, and comparative analyses of other sectors and countries, the authors argue that governance reforms are likely to have little impact on what actually happens in schools, and they tell why decentralized structural arrangements alone are unlikely to establish conditions necessary for general improvement in educational practice.

JANE HANNAWAY is associate professor in the School of Education at Stanford University, where she also directs the master's program in policy analysis. MARTIN CARNOY is professor of education and economics in the School of Education at Stanford University, where he also has headed the International Development Education program.