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What is Comparative Education?

Mary McMahon
Mary McMahon
Mary McMahon
Mary McMahon

Comparative education is a discipline in the social sciences that involves the analysis and comparison of educational systems, such as those in different countries. People in this field are interested in developing meaningful terminology and standards for education worldwide, improving educational systems and creating a framework for assessing the success of education programs and initiatives. Usually, graduate degrees are required to work in this field, although some people can find employment in this field after earning four-year degrees.

Evaluating Multiple Systems

Outdoor school room in another country.
Outdoor school room in another country.

In comparative education, analysts are interested in the systems that individual nations use to educate their citizens. The analysts examine the strengths and weaknesses of the different systems and might compare and contrast those in two or more nations. Another area of interest is in creating comparisons within a single nation over time, looking at how changes in the system have influenced educational outcomes, as well as examining variations in the systems from region to region.

Context is Key

Comparative education looks at education over time.
Comparative education looks at education over time.

An important aspect of comparative education is contextualization. A nation's educational system cannot be viewed properly without also looking at other things that might influence or affect it. Social, political and economic conditions are all involved in shaping educational systems and determining outcomes. Nations that have strong national traditions of education, for example, might have better outcomes with less funding than nations that historically have not placed a great value on education. Understanding cultural influences also is important when developing techniques for assessment and comparison or when working on new educational programs that can be introduced to specific regions. What works in one nation or region might not work as well in another.

How Comparisons Help

Student taking educational test.
Student taking educational test.

Comparative education is used in the development of educational testing procedures and the creation of educational programs and frameworks. Comparing systems can provide educators with ideas for revitalizing one system by incorporating elements of others, and it can allow people to track progress over time. This can strengthen an educational system in addition to creating an objective method of evaluation and study, providing meaningful data for people who are concerned about educational outcomes and techniques.

Careers

Comparative education might look at the ways in which different generations learn.
Comparative education might look at the ways in which different generations learn.

People who are interested in this field typically pursue graduate degrees in comparative education and might conduct extensive research during their careers. Some of them work in the academic field after they obtain their degrees, and others might work for government agencies, schools, education agencies or nongovernmental organizations that are interested in improving the quality of education and expanding access to education. The type of work that people in this field conduct can vary greatly, and there is considered to be room for researchers who have a great deal of interests, such as social psychology or international aid and development.

Mary McMahon
Mary McMahon

Ever since she began contributing to the site several years ago, Mary has embraced the exciting challenge of being a PracticalAdultInsights researcher and writer. Mary has a liberal arts degree from Goddard College and spends her free time reading, cooking, and exploring the great outdoors.

Learn more...
Mary McMahon
Mary McMahon

Ever since she began contributing to the site several years ago, Mary has embraced the exciting challenge of being a PracticalAdultInsights researcher and writer. Mary has a liberal arts degree from Goddard College and spends her free time reading, cooking, and exploring the great outdoors.

Learn more...

Discussion Comments

anon166880

the area of comparative education is helpful, especially for progressive countries.

lovelife

@anon149022--Well, I think that comparative education would be wonderful in Nigeria. It is on the brink of some real education decisions and I feel without looking at the country as a whole and what role the social, political and economical situations play in education is doing the educational system in Nigeria a dis-service.

anon149022

What are the reasons for comparative education in nigeria?

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    • Outdoor school room in another country.
      By: Living Legend
      Outdoor school room in another country.
    • Comparative education looks at education over time.
      By: Alysta
      Comparative education looks at education over time.
    • Student taking educational test.
      By: Darryl Sleath
      Student taking educational test.
    • Comparative education might look at the ways in which different generations learn.
      By: Daddy Cool
      Comparative education might look at the ways in which different generations learn.