Journal Articles

Fears and tears of transparency and disclosure: Controversies and politics of school profiles in Hong Kong since 2000

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Title:
Fears and tears of transparency and disclosure: Controversies and politics of school profiles in Hong Kong since 2000
Authors:
- Tse, Thomas Kwan Choi The Chinese University of Hong Kong
Source:
Education & Urban Society, 51(8), 1106-1126, 2019
Publisher:
Sage Publications, Inc.
Year Published:
2019
Education Categories:
- R Educational Policy & Administration
  - RF School Supervision, Accountability & Inspection: Education Indicators, Privatization of School
- R Educational Policy & Administration
  - RG Education Reforms
Keywords:
Educational Change Educational Accountability Public Schools Education & Politics
Region:
- Hong Kong
Period:
- 1997.7 onwards
Level:
- Unknown or Unspecified
Abstract:
One measure of current education reform in Hong Kong is reporting school performance to the public to increase the transparency and accountability of schools, enhance parents' right of access to information, and provide guides for choosing schools. This article examines the controversies and politics involved and shows how the sociopolitical construction of information are connected to crucial questions about how the conflicting values and expectations of different stakeholders are balanced. Advocating public school performance reporting without adequate deliberation could introduce anti-educational and unethical consequences, however unintended. Drawing on the works by Albert Meijer and findings from Hong Kong, this study provides additional empirical evidence and conceptual insights for understanding the complex dynamics of school transparency in the context of public sector accountability. The article concludes with analytical and ethical implications of the Hong Kong experience and recommendations for policy makers, particularly concerning the value judgments on the right to information, freedom of choice, transparency, accountability, freedom of the press, and professionalism.
[Copyright of Education & Urban Society is the property of Sage Publications, Inc.]
Language:
- English
Document Type:
Journal Articles
ISSN:
- 00131245
DOI:
- 10.1177/0013124518785014
Permalink:
https://bibliography.lib.eduhk.hk/en/bibs/c04f3377
Entry Date:
2020-03-03