This course aims to provide an understanding of the major contextual forces that have shaped school reform. It seeks to investigate the dynamics of school reform as a global phenomenon and to analyze its impact on the international, societal, and institutional levels of educational policy and administration. School reform policies are viewed as endeavours to enhance national competitiveness in the world arena. New administrative measures are perceived as means to attain efficiency and effectiveness. By referring to the developmental experiences of societies that have influenced the direction of local school reform, and drawing insights from relevant research findings, this course will address critical issues in key areas of school reform. These issues will include school-based management, quality assurance, home-school cooperation, curriculum reform, medium of instruction, and information technology in education.