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Time is ticking: the dynamics of education reform in the Covid-era

Sarah L. Woulfin (Department of Educational Leadership and Policy, University of Texas at Austin, Austin, Texas, USA)
Natalie Spitzer (Department of Educational Leadership and Policy, University of Texas at Austin, Austin, Texas, USA)

Journal of Educational Administration

ISSN: 0957-8234

Article publication date: 21 March 2023

Issue publication date: 25 April 2023

451

Abstract

Purpose

This paper applies concepts from organizational theory as well as physics to elucidate the role of time in the US education system’s efforts to recuperate from the pandemic. This paper contributes to an important body of work focusing on implementation of reform efforts in education that use time in innovative ways.

Design/methodology/approach

The COVID-19 pandemic disrupted time in educational organizations and, thus, for educators and students. Time has been a vital tool for educational reform, yet many applications of organizational theory and literature on educational change neglect to underscore its importance. The authors explore resources, guidelines and practices related to time employed to recuperate from pandemic-related disruptions to schooling.

Findings

The authors discuss three cases in which time has been utilized to recover from the COVID-19 pandemic: (1) accelerated learning; (2) extended time; and (3) redeveloped professional learning. For each case, the authors demonstrate how time has been conceptualized and how leaders are stretching the space-time of schooling to provide resources and learning opportunities to students and educators.

Practical implications

This article describes how district and school leaders can draw on their agency to reshape time-use in educational organizations.

Originality/value

This article advances an innovative framework demonstrating the importance of time in educational change. The authors also portray innovative models that provide time for students to receive an array of responsive, equity-centered, academic and SEL opportunities and for educators to collaborate, continuing their own development amid the ever-shifting Covid-context.

Keywords

Acknowledgements

A preprint version of this paper appeared as “Time is Ticking: The dynamics of education reform in the Covid-era” and has been posted on SocArXiv repository:https://osf.io/preprints/socarxiv/gr95s/

Citation

Woulfin, S.L. and Spitzer, N. (2023), "Time is ticking: the dynamics of education reform in the Covid-era", Journal of Educational Administration, Vol. 61 No. 3, pp. 256-271. https://doi.org/10.1108/JEA-09-2022-0147

Publisher

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Emerald Publishing Limited

Copyright © 2023, Emerald Publishing Limited

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