质量保障的真相或幻象——基于制度理论的国际学校认证制度审视-《南京师大学报》（社会科学版）

文章信息/Info

Title:: Quality Assurance: Reality or Illusion? A Reflection on International School Accreditation System from the Perspective of Institutional Theory

Keywords:: international education; international school accreditation; quality assurance

摘要:: 高质量教育是现代教育发展中的关键议题。学校认证制度为保障教育质量及其持续改进提供了有力的支撑。随着全球国际学校数量的不断增加，国际学校认证制度在其质量保障方面起到了至关重要的作用，但同时也存在认证目的逐渐偏移，认证逐渐形式化、标签化等乱象。本研究基于制度理论，运用“制度要素-载体”理论框架，探讨国际学校认证制度在教育质量保障过程中的影响与现实挑战。分析结果表明：尽管认证制度能够为国际学校规范化发展带来积极影响。但同时，其实践中日益凸显的功利化、形式化与同质化问题也在很大程度上弱化了质量保障的根本目的，质量保障的实际效果减弱。正确认识国际学校认证制度中的价值、实践和文化张力，对于充分发挥认证制度质量保障作用，推进高质量学校建设有着重要作用。

Abstract:: High-quality education is a pivotal issue in the evolution of modern education. The school accreditation system serves as a robust foundation to ensure educational quality and its continuous improvement. With the increasing number of international schools worldwide, the international school accreditation system plays a crucial role in quality assurance. However, there are emerging concerns about the system's shift in purpose, its increasing formalization, and a tendency towards tokenism. Based on institutional theory and using the “institutional element-carrier” theoretical framework, this study examined the impact and real-world challenges of the international school accreditation system in safeguarding educational quality. The analysis indicates that while the accreditation system positively influences the standardized development of international schools, there is an increasing tendency towards utilitarianism, formalism, and homogenization in practice. This has, to a large extent, undermined the core purpose of quality assurance, weakening its actual effectiveness. Properly understanding the values, practices, and cultural tensions within the international school accreditation system is vital for maximizing its role in quality assurance and promoting the construction of high-quality schools.