title: Unveiling the layers of educational reform: A critical realist analysis of the ideation, development and enactment of the Philippine professional standards for teachers policy

authors: Macam, Alea

subjects: teacher professionalism

abstract: This study investigates changes in teacher professionalism in the Philippines in response to globalising education policies, with a particular focus on the impact of the 2017 Philippine Professional Standards for Teachers (PPST) policy introduced under the conditions of official development assistance. With the technical and financial support of the government of Australia, this policy introduces clear indicators of professional competence that challenge traditional views of teacher professionalism and redefine teacher quality. Anchored by the ontological and epistemological foundations of critical theory and critical realism, and the theoretical and methodological framework of the Critical, Cultural Political Economy of Education (Dale & Robertson, 2015), this study explores the underlying mechanisms that have shaped the ideation, development and enactment of the professional standards policy and its impact on teacher professionalism.

Based on interviews with policymakers, Department of Education (DepEd) officers, a public school district supervisor, school heads and teachers, the findings of the study indicate the emergence of idealised professionalism, a term used to describe how the context and policymaking process of the professional standards policy was heavily influenced by broader economic, political, and cultural globalisation. However, this idealised professionalism remains primarily a theoretical construct that is not grounded in the actual realities of teaching in the Philippines.  The introduction of the policy has resulted in ongoing tension between state regulation and teachers’ professional autonomy. This tension is further complicated by the fact that policy enactment is not always consistent across different schools and jurisdictions, with various cultural practices and contextual socio-economic factors shaping teachers’ agentic responses. Ironically, the institutionalisation of clear expectations for teachers embodied in idealised professionalism has led to teaching practices characterised by complexity rather than certainty.

This study makes a contribution to the continuing debate over the role of official development assistance in driving education policies that not only perpetuate neoliberal and neocolonial practices but also fail to align with the local context of aid-receiving countries.  It prompts critical reflection on whose interests are ultimately served by externally induced official development assistance project reforms in developing countries. 

The study recommends redirecting official development assistance towards areas of government where its benefits would be maximised, such as institutional building and capacity development, rather than project-based reforms. Additionally, establishment of a mechanism for local school stakeholders and the local community to actively participate in national policymaking could help ensure that policies are appropriate and relevant to teachers. Lastly, future studies could re-narrativise the globalisation story by concentrating on local contexts and using them as the vantage point from which to better understand the modernisation of education.

text: Unveiling the layers of educational reform: A critical realist analysis of the ideation, development and enactment of the Philippine professional standards for teachers policy This study investigates changes in teacher professionalism in the Philippines in response to globalising education policies, with a particular focus on the impact of the 2017 Philippine Professional Standards for Teachers (PPST) policy introduced under the conditions of official development assistance. With the technical and financial support of the government of Australia, this policy introduces clear indicators of professional competence that challenge traditional views of teacher professionalism and redefine teacher quality. Anchored by the ontological and epistemological foundations of critical theory and critical realism, and the theoretical and methodological framework of the Critical, Cultural Political Economy of Education (Dale & Robertson, 2015), this study explores the underlying mechanisms that have shaped the ideation, development and enactment of the professional standards policy and its impact on teacher professionalism.

Based on interviews with policymakers, Department of Education (DepEd) officers, a public school district supervisor, school heads and teachers, the findings of the study indicate the emergence of idealised professionalism, a term used to describe how the context and policymaking process of the professional standards policy was heavily influenced by broader economic, political, and cultural globalisation. However, this idealised professionalism remains primarily a theoretical construct that is not grounded in the actual realities of teaching in the Philippines.  The introduction of the policy has resulted in ongoing tension between state regulation and teachers’ professional autonomy. This tension is further complicated by the fact that policy enactment is not always consistent across different schools and jurisdictions, with various cultural practices and contextual socio-economic factors shaping teachers’ agentic responses. Ironically, the institutionalisation of clear expectations for teachers embodied in idealised professionalism has led to teaching practices characterised by complexity rather than certainty.

This study makes a contribution to the continuing debate over the role of official development assistance in driving education policies that not only perpetuate neoliberal and neocolonial practices but also fail to align with the local context of aid-receiving countries.  It prompts critical reflection on whose interests are ultimately served by externally induced official development assistance project reforms in developing countries. 

The study recommends redirecting official development assistance towards areas of government where its benefits would be maximised, such as institutional building and capacity development, rather than project-based reforms. Additionally, establishment of a mechanism for local school stakeholders and the local community to actively participate in national policymaking could help ensure that policies are appropriate and relevant to teachers. Lastly, future studies could re-narrativise the globalisation story by concentrating on local contexts and using them as the vantage point from which to better understand the modernisation of education.

year: 2025-03-10

title: Utilizing popularity characteristics for product recommendation

authors: Ahn, Hyung Jun

subjects: automated product recommendation

abstract: This paper presents a novel approach to automated product recommendation based on the popularity characteristics of products. Popularity plays a significant role in the consumer purchasing process but has not been given much attention in recommendation research. A three-dimensional model of popularity is used to develop popularity classes of products. These are joined with the MovieLens dataset to create a hybrid movie recommendation system that combines genre and popularity information. As compared with collaborative filtering, the hybrid system shows positive results under the conditions of data sparsity and cold-starting. Many interesting issues for further research are suggested.

text: Utilizing popularity characteristics for product recommendation This paper presents a novel approach to automated product recommendation based on the popularity characteristics of products. Popularity plays a significant role in the consumer purchasing process but has not been given much attention in recommendation research. A three-dimensional model of popularity is used to develop popularity classes of products. These are joined with the MovieLens dataset to create a hybrid movie recommendation system that combines genre and popularity information. As compared with collaborative filtering, the hybrid system shows positive results under the conditions of data sparsity and cold-starting. Many interesting issues for further research are suggested.

year: 2006

title: Haumanu hauora: A commentary on strengthening health institution responsiveness to Māori health in the face of climate change

authors: Masters-Awatere, Bridgette

abstract: Climate change is the biggest threat to humanity through compounding ecological disasters. A focus on global averages tends to hide dramatic differences and mask health disparities that exist for Indigenous people. For 21 years, district health boards (DHBs) were responsible for providing or funding the provision of health services across Aotearoa. The introduction of the Pae Ora (Healthy Futures) Act 2022 disestablished DHBs and offered an opportunity to reshape health in ways that give serious consideration to climate change impacts. The need to give greater consideration to Indigenous people in climate change conversations is essential. The Waitangi Tribunal highlights areas where the Crown needs to work to improve Māori health outcomes. A clear deficit in existing policy process means a lack of preparedness for the intersecting health crises vulnerable Māori will experience in the face of climate change. Structural change is needed to strengthen health institution responsiveness to Māori health needs.

text: Haumanu hauora: A commentary on strengthening health institution responsiveness to Māori health in the face of climate change Climate change is the biggest threat to humanity through compounding ecological disasters. A focus on global averages tends to hide dramatic differences and mask health disparities that exist for Indigenous people. For 21 years, district health boards (DHBs) were responsible for providing or funding the provision of health services across Aotearoa. The introduction of the Pae Ora (Healthy Futures) Act 2022 disestablished DHBs and offered an opportunity to reshape health in ways that give serious consideration to climate change impacts. The need to give greater consideration to Indigenous people in climate change conversations is essential. The Waitangi Tribunal highlights areas where the Crown needs to work to improve Māori health outcomes. A clear deficit in existing policy process means a lack of preparedness for the intersecting health crises vulnerable Māori will experience in the face of climate change. Structural change is needed to strengthen health institution responsiveness to Māori health needs.

year: 2025