Improving the Provision of Quality Education : Perspectives from Textbook Research

Two concurrent shifts are occurring in international education policy. One involves a policy shift away from issues of access, enrollment and completed schooling to one focusing on learning, skills acquisition and teacher quality. The second involves a narrowing of the conceptualization of quality education, with learning outcomes and skills acquisition becoming the core constructs. This article argues that both shifts are problematic as they disregard emergent insights about the contested nature of the intended and implemented curriculum—especially as viewed through textbooks and official guidelines. Context-specific knowledge about textbooks and the curriculum is crucial, if policy makers are to identify effective ways to improve the provision of quality education. The thematic articles in this issue are noteworthy since they: a) enhance our understanding of the development, revision and use of textbooks; b) examine the cultural and political dynamics of curricular processes; and c) address important research and policy concerns concerning textbooks and the curriculum.