Chinas Dream for World class Teacher Education: A Rational Analysis of National Policies

Key words: 
• policy analysis

Abstract: China has long dreamt for worldclass teacher education, with various national initiatives implemented over decades. This paper examines the complex implementation process in these national initiatives to nurture a worldclass teaching force, with findings from a case study. It places the analysis in the unique sociocultural context of China, and adopts a rational perspective to analyze the institutional transformations and developmental challenges of the national reform. Meanwhile, policy implications for teacher education reform are elaborated. Lastly, this paper proposes that China provides an alternative model for building a worldclass teaching force in an age of globalization.