Partnership as Educational Policy Imperative: An unquestioned good?

Citation

I'Anson J & Eady S (2017) Partnership as Educational Policy Imperative: An unquestioned good?. Professions and Professionalism, 7 (3), Art. No.: 1814. https://doi.org/10.7577/pp.1814

Abstract
“Partnership” is often promoted as an unquestioned “good” for higher education institutions in relation to its various stakeholder organizations. This paper seeks to problematize this uncritical valorization through a critical interrogation of the concepts and socio-material practices associated with partnership. In the name of partnership, new forms of governance are inaugurated that have far-reaching effects. More specifically, this paper is concerned with a critical analysis of partnership in relation to a longitudinal study of the relational practices between a university and five local authorities within a Scottish educational context. In particular, we trace how a “signature event” transformed a partnership assemblage, from one characterized by a grammar of participation, to a formal partnership aligned with a set of principles that we characterize as a grammar of representation. We argue that this transition led to a new assemblage that enacted new accountabilities, performativities, and alignments under the sign of partnership.

Keywords
Partnership; signature event; professional accountability and responsibility;socio-material practices; teacher education

Journal
Professions and Professionalism: Volume 7, Issue 3