The Redistribution of Responsibilities in Five European Educational Systems: From Global Trends to National Arrangements

Abstract

This article provides a comparative analysis on the evolution of the distribution of responsibilities — the authority of deciding over a particular domain — at the national, regional, and local levels in the European Union educational systems. After explaining common trends in the institutional arrangements through the role of evaluation, the elaboration of a typology on the patterns of relations and actors' responsibilities enables research on particular evolutions and specificities in five educational systems (Portuguese, Italian, French Community of Belgium, Danish, and English) due to their particular history and institutional features. This analysis aims to contribute to the discussion on the similarities and differences on the evolution of educational systems and their policies.