Collaboration as a strategy for promoting equity in education: possibilities and barriers

Purpose – The paper reflects on the findings of a program of research, which, over many years, has explored ways of promoting greater equity in schools and education systems. Using examples from the field, the paper provides an explanation of what this involves. In so doing it identifies potential barriers that have to be addressed and suggestions as to how these might be overcome. The paper aims to discuss these issues. Design/methodology/approach – The paper draws on a series of studies what uses a “development and research” approach This is one of a family of methodologies referred to by as “design-based implementation research.” These aim to transcend traditional research/practice barriers to facilitate the design of educational interventions that are “effective, sustainable, and scalable.” They are seen as occurring when researcher and practitioner knowledge meet in particular sites, aimed at producing new knowledge about ways in which broad values might better be realized in future practice. Findings – The experiences described in this paper suggest a way forward that policy makers could use to ensure that the impetus that comes from greater school autonomy will lead to improvements that will benefit all children and young people. Research limitations/implications – In thinking about how the approach described might be used more widely it is essential to recognize that it does not offer a simple recipe that can be lifted and transferred between contexts. Rather, it defines an approach to improvement that uses processes of contextual analysis in order to create strategies that fit particular circumstances. Practical implications – The argument presented is based on an assumption that education systems have further potential to improve themselves, provided policy makers allow the space for practitioners to make use of the expertise and creativity that lies trapped within individual classrooms. The aim must be to “move knowledge around” and the best way to do this is through strengthening collaboration within schools, between schools and beyond schools. Originality/value – The paper draws together findings from an extensive program of research in order to develop new thinking regarding ways of promoting equity in education.