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Neoliberalism as exception: The new high-quality school project in Shanghai
Citation
Tan, C. (2019). Neoliberalism as exception: The new high-quality school project in Shanghai. Discourse: Studies in the Cultural Politics of Education, 40(4), 443-457. https://doi.org/10.1080/01596306.2017.1349736
Author
Tan, Charlene
Abstract
Drawing upon Aihwa Ong’s concept of ‘neoliberalism as exception’, this paper explores how the education authority in Shanghai capitalises on neoliberal knowledge, techniques and logics to address local challenges. Through the creation of ‘new high quality schools’ that is accompanied by a new assessment system, the authority hopes to persuade parents to choose non-elite schools instead of prestigious schools that excel in academic performance. The neoliberal strategy of school choice is supported by the policy of school
autonomy for educators to go beyond test scores to promote holistic development in students. The paper underlines the indigenisation of neoliberalism through policy dynamics where multiple educational
stakeholders interact with and mutually influence one another. By highlighting ‘neoliberalism with Chinese characteristics’ in Shanghai, this study demonstrates how neoliberalism coexists with state forms, cultural
norms and social practices in a particular locality.
Date Issued
2019
DOI
10.1080/01596306.2017.1349736
Description
This is the final draft, after peer-review, of a manuscript published in Discourse: Studies in the Cultural Politics of Education. The published version is available online at https://doi.org/10.1080/01596306.2017.1349736