The Politics of Transforming Education in Ecuador: Confrontation and Continuity, 2006–2017

Abstract

Recent governments in Ecuador (2007–17) have achieved impressive improvements in education. Enrollments increased significantly, and Ecuador’s learning gains on regional tests from 2006 to 2013 were among the largest in the region. Ecuador’s recent PISA performance provides further confirmation of genuine progress in raising student learning. A central part of Ecuador’s strategy was the Correa government’s implementation— over strong union opposition—of major teacher policy reforms, especially higher standards for recruitment and regular evaluation of teacher performance. Among the political advantages favoring government reformers were strong public support, sustained presidential engagement, and continuity in the government reform team. Ecuador’s experience offers lessons for improving education by raising the quality of teaching and supports theories on the role of policy entrepreneurs and veto points (with some modification) as core factors in effective education reform but provides little support for theories that highlight strong roles for civil society organizations.