Autonomy, Collaboration and Competition: The Impact of Education Management Reforms which Aim to Increase School Autonomy on Relations between Schools

Abstract

In recent decades, the neoliberal education policy has been implemented in many countries, by reducing the state’s role in education management. Lithuania is one of the countries which after the restoration of Independence in 1991 and collapse of the Soviet Union has decentralized its education management system by giving more autonomy to schools and local authorities. Education-management reforms, which have already been implemented or are currently being implemented in response to social, economic and political changes in the country, have an impact on relationships between schools. Purpose: This article reports the findings of a study which reviewed education management reforms aimed at increasing school autonomy and their impact on inter-school collaboration and competition. Research Method: This study employs a qualitative research design with semi-structured interviews. Twenty-four elementary and secondary school principals from different regions of Lithuania were interviewed. Findings: The results reveal that a significant influence on relations between schools comes from government decisions which relate to school autonomy, school choice, allocation of funds, school ranking, and the like. Implications: This study generates discussions on the impact of the education management reforms which aim to enhance school autonomy on inter-school relationships. In order to answer that question, a theoretical model of research was developed, including the theoretical basis of school autonomy, collaboration and competition, as well as the characteristics of Lithuanian education governance.

Unanticipated Consequences of Reforms in School Governance

“…Th e positive eff ect, or at least the goal thereof, is that such competition between schools and increased school autonomy encourage schools to seek better quality and pay more attention to the learners' needs and abilities (Maroy 2008, 18). Th e Law on Education of the Republic of Lithuania provides for the necessity of information about education, the purpose of which is to provide information "to help a person choose education and employment opportunities suited for him, facilitate his acquiring of career competences and actively build his own career" (Urbanovič et al 2019). Assessing the eff ects thereof in Lithuania, one has to distinguish between rural and urban municipalities.…”

“…In addition, studies show that the exit option and the free choice for schools do enhance competition between schools but also stimulate an infl ation of assessments, as schools will try everything to score high on criteria that are measured and will neglect what might be important but cannot be measured. Lithuanian experiences also show that schools, in order to attract more pupils through competitive measures, result in a decline in the quality of education due to fragmentation of the process and tensions between and within schools (Urbanovič et al 2019).…”

“…Previous research in Lithuanian schools (Urbanovič et al 2019) revealed that the experience of school collaboration and competition is dependent on the current policy of the school network reorganization in the municipality. Th e research results showed that municipalities where the school network ensures accessibility to all school levels and smooth movement of pupils between them create conditions for school collaboration.…”