The Institute of Curriculum and Instruction at East China Normal University is delighted to publish the full-length case study report of Shanghai in a project entitled Instructional Leaders at the Middle Tier of Education Systems. It was written by CHEN Shuangye and ZHANG Wei for the UNESCO International Institute for Educational Planning (UNESCO-IIEP) and the Education Development Trust (EDT). The case study was commissioned by the UNESCO-IIEP in 2021.

The whole project analyses promising practices for instructional leadership, focusing on middle-tier professionals who work as catalysts for change in school reforms. It draws on evidence from around the world, with six national case studies.

Within the overall project, the Shanghai case study is entitled A Middle-tier Space to Support a High Performing School System. We have received special permission to publish it on our website, and it can be downloaded here.

Shanghai Case Study: A Middle-tier Space to Support a High Performing School System

The study showcases China’s experience in building a middle-tier system to support teacher professional development and school improvement. It presents change in an international metropolis at the forefront of China’s education reforms.

For policy makers and education planners around the world, the Shanghai case highlights the importance of preserving and cultivating a collective culture and utilizing middle-tier leaders as messengers for sharing across school boundaries. Lessons are particularly pertinent for lower-income countries seeking development based on independent capacity rather than external aid.

We thank the team at IIEP-UNESCO, research participants in Shanghai who shared their experiences and insights, as well as Mark BRAY, CUI Yunhuo, WU Gangping, HU Huimin, AN Guiqing, LV Jiyue, WANG Yiting, HOU Yansi, SHEN Lan, ZENG Yan, YANG Lan and our colleagues at ECNU-ICI.