Mapping Educational Change in Kazakhstan

Based on an in-depth, ten-year study, this book examines the implementation of the large scale reform of Kazakhstan's education system.

Colleen McLaughlin (Edited by), Liz Winter (Edited by), Natallia Yakavets (Edited by)

9781009074483, Cambridge University Press

Paperback / softback, published 10 April 2025

358 pages
24.3 x 16.9 x 2 cm, 0.61 kg

'Rarely do scholars look back to assess the impact of a reform ten or twenty years later. This book fills this gap: the distinguished authors examine how the Nazarbayev Intellectual Schools evolved over time and which of their key features were actually scaled up and adopted by regular public schools. Moving beyond mere description, this book is a very important contribution to comparative policy studies as it captures the fascinating new trend towards internationalization, typically first piloted in a few experimental schools of the country with the promise of infusing later on the innovations into the remaining public schools.' Gita Steiner-Khamsi, Professor and UNESCO Chair in Comparative Education Policy Teachers College, Columbia University, New York

Based on an in-depth, ten-year study, this novel book examines the reform of Kazakhstan's education system, from the initial plans and models of change, through to the implementation at all stages and places in the education system. Through an exploration of a wide range of data, it maps the problems, models, challenges, interventions, and successes of educational change. It covers the viewpoints of all stakeholders involved – policy makers, teachers, regional officials, head teachers, parents, and pupils – to provide a comprehensive assessment of the perspectives of people at all levels. It will be invaluable to those interested in the implementation of radical development and change, and it is essential reading for researchers and students in education reform and education policy, as well as teachers and educational professionals. This title is part of the Flip it Open Programme and may also be available Open Access. Check our website Cambridge Core for details.

List of Figures
List of Tables
List of Contributors
Acknowledgements
Preface Nick Fielding
Introduction Colleen McLaughlin and David Bridges
Part I. Foundation of Scaling Up: 1. Rationale for and Perceptions of the Educational Reform in Kazakhstan Kulyash Shamshidinova, Svetlana Ispusinova, Zhanyl Zhontayeva and Colleen McLaughlin
2. The New Educational Structures and Networks as Drivers of National Modernisation: The How of Transformation Svetlana Ispussinova and Nazipa Ayubayeva, with Olga Mozhayeva, Zhanar Abdildina, Zhanbota Kabdykarimova and Aidana Shilibekova
3. The Translation of 'World Class' Academic Research Practices in Kazakhstan Olena Fim'yar, Kairat Kurakbayev and David Bridges
4. Teaching Science in English in Secondary Schools in Kazakhstan: Policy and Practice Perspectives Bridget Goodman, Alexandra Nam, Almira Yembergenova and Kathy Malone
5. Diversity, Equity and Inclusion in Kazakhstani Schools Tsediso Michael Makoelle, Daniel Hernández-Torrano, Michelle Somerton and Natallia Yakavets
Part II. Piloting Initiatives and Scaling Up to the Whole System: 6. Piloting the Renewed Content of Education Natallia Yakavets, Liz Winter, Assel Kambatyrova and Aizhan Ramazanova
7. Revising the Content and Standards of Student Assessment Olga Mozhayeva, Aidana Shilibekova and Dinara Ziyedenova and Zamira Rakhymbayeva
8. New Ways of Financing Schools – Per Capita Funding Ali Ait Si Mhamed, Liz Winter, Rita Kasa, Gulmira Qanay, Zhanyl Zhontayeva and Laila Aringazina
9. Professional Capacity of the Leading Schools as a Managing Mechanism in Updating the Content of Secondary Education in Kazakhstan Irina Ausheva and Zhanbota Kabdykarimova
10. The Teacher Leadership in the Kazakhstan Initiative: Antecedents and Achievements Gulmira Qanay and David Frost
11. Developing Teachers as Researchers: Action Research as a School Development Approach Nazipa Ayubayeva and Colleen McLaughlin
Part III. Evidence on Implementation: 12. The Aims and Methods of Evidence Collection: Introductory Comments on Part 3 Liz Winter and Colleen McLaughlin
13. Regional Case Study 1 Liz Winter, Nazipa Ayubayeva and Zarina Khamidulina
14. Regional Case Study 2 – A Regional Study of Stakeholders' Perspectives on Education Reform in Kazakhstan Olena Fimy'ar, Janet Helmer, Xeniya Tursunbayeva, Laila Aringazina
15. Regional Case Study 3. A Regional Study of Stakeholders' Perspectives on Education Reform in Kazakhstan Natallia Yakavets, Kathy Malone, Zhanyl Zhontayeva, and Gulmira Qanay
16. Beyond Piloting: A Reflection on Coherence and Systemic Implementation Liz Winter, Zhadyra Makhmetova and Kathy Malone
Part IV. Conclusions: 17. Reflections and Pathways Colleen McLaughlin
Select Bibliography
Index.

Subject Areas: Educational strategies & policy [JNF]