The educational reform and its differences with innovation, change, fashion and improvement

Abstract

Is a reform the same as an innovation? We have already mentioned that a reform is considered a formal change to a superficial or external structure, and that when we speak of ‘innovation’ we refer to a change of a restricted and qualitative nature in current practices. Reforms originate in the governmental political apparatus, while innovations are usually generated from grassroots levels such as centers, academic groups, professional associations and individual initiatives. However, in the educational context, what is the impact of each of them and what other elements do we have to differentiate them?