The idea of decentralization became central to educational discourse during the period of reform of the late 1980s and the 1990s. The State can use the discourse of decentralization to argue in favor of greater autonomy and responsibility, just as market forces can use it to attain their objectives in regard to schools. In this article our purpose is to identify a number of different meanings of the term decentralization, arguing that decisions regarding curricula are intentional and practical processes in which students and teachers are the main actors. The key question is how to move ahead off the beaten path. The probable answer will be based on the centrality of the school without minimizing the importance of curriculum-related issues.
Educational policy; decentralization; curriculum policies; re-centralization; curriculum
