The road to change? A case study examining educational reform in Sibiu County, Romania

Abstract

This article examines processes of educational reform and change in a post-Communist Eastern European country. Focusing on the experiences and challenges facing one geographical community in Sibiu County, Romania, an attempt is made to understand some of the macro and micro factors, influences and external policy drivers, shaping the organization and management of schools, training of teachers, realignment of the curriculum and emergence of new pedagogical practices. The article utilizes a series of ‘narrative portraits’ constructed out of a case study, involving interviews with school inspectors, school managers, university academic staff and school teachers. Continuing Professional Development (CPD) activities, run by two of the authors, also provided a rich source of data. The article considers the tensions and challenges accompanying reform, together with the emergence of innovatory strategies and practices that have the potential to transform and improve the educational experiences of children living in Sibiu County, Romania