Comparative Evaluation of the Decisions of the Turkish National Education Council and Indexes of the Journal of Announcements Between 1980-2014

Abstract

This study aimed to examine Turkish education policies between 1980-2014 through the decisions in the meetings of the Turkish National Education Council and the indexes of Journal of Announcements in terms of Fullan's Educational Change Model. Historical research, a qualitative research method, was used in the study. The data obtained from the written documents were coded using the five dimensions of the Educational Change Model, and agenda items were retrieved. Frequency distributions were obtained and percentages were calculated. The scope of the study covered the period between 1980-2014. The decisions by the National Education Council and 33 indexes of the Journal of Announcements published after 1980 were examined in terms of the agenda items. The results showed that the most frequently addressed item in the meetings of the National Education Council was the dimension 'improving the conditions of work' and in the indexes of the Journal of Announcements it was the dimension 'curriculum'. The decisions related to the dimension 'teacher learning' were the least addressed items both in the Journal of Announcements and the National Education Council. The meetings of the National Education Council held between 1980-2014 did not include agenda items that represented all dimensions of the Educational Change Model. This shows that the council decisions regarding teacher learning are not paid due attention during implementation. It can be argued that in structuring and development of educational policies, all dimensions of educational change should be attached the same level of importance and studied as a whole.