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Negotiating alternativity within boundaries: legitimacy and the dilemmas of Innovative schools in contemporary China.

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Title: Negotiating alternativity within boundaries: legitimacy and the dilemmas of Innovative schools in contemporary China.
Authors: Xu, Wanru1 (AUTHOR) wendyxu9193@outlook.com, Spruyt, Bram1 (AUTHOR)
Source: Frontiers in Education. 2026, p1-10. 10p.
Subject Terms: *Alternative schools, *Qualitative research, *Education policy, *Alternative education, Institutional theory (Sociology), Legitimacy of governments
Geographic Terms: China
Abstract: Introduction: This paper examines how a specific type of alternative education in China—Innovative schools—negotiates its legitimacy within a particular social and political context. Methods: Drawing on neo-institutional theory, we conducted a qualitative thematic analysis of the promotional materials of five Innovative schools. Findings: Our analysis shows that these schools discursively negotiate their legitimacy by managing their relationships with three key audiences: mainstream education, prospective families, and state authorities. Specifically, legitimacy is constructed through calibrated differentiation: appearing superior but not deviant, inclusive in rhetoric yet selective in access, and grassroots in origin while aligned with national narratives. Discussion: These findings highlight how "alternativity" is negotiated under constrained institutional and political conditions. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]
Copyright of Frontiers in Education is the property of Frontiers Media S.A. and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites without the copyright holder's express written permission. Additionally, content may not be used with any artificial intelligence tools or machine learning technologies. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)
Database: Education Research Complete
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DbLabel: Education Research Complete
An: 193527087
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PubType: Academic Journal
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  Data: Introduction: This paper examines how a specific type of alternative education in China—Innovative schools—negotiates its legitimacy within a particular social and political context. Methods: Drawing on neo-institutional theory, we conducted a qualitative thematic analysis of the promotional materials of five Innovative schools. Findings: Our analysis shows that these schools discursively negotiate their legitimacy by managing their relationships with three key audiences: mainstream education, prospective families, and state authorities. Specifically, legitimacy is constructed through calibrated differentiation: appearing superior but not deviant, inclusive in rhetoric yet selective in access, and grassroots in origin while aligned with national narratives. Discussion: These findings highlight how "alternativity" is negotiated under constrained institutional and political conditions. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]
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  Data: <i>Copyright of Frontiers in Education is the property of Frontiers Media S.A. and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites without the copyright holder's express written permission. Additionally, content may not be used with any artificial intelligence tools or machine learning technologies. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract.</i> (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)
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RecordInfo BibRecord:
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      – Type: doi
        Value: 10.3389/feduc.2026.1488871
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      – Code: eng
        Text: English
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        PageCount: 10
        StartPage: 1
    Subjects:
      – SubjectFull: Alternative schools
        Type: general
      – SubjectFull: Qualitative research
        Type: general
      – SubjectFull: Education policy
        Type: general
      – SubjectFull: Alternative education
        Type: general
      – SubjectFull: Institutional theory (Sociology)
        Type: general
      – SubjectFull: Legitimacy of governments
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      – SubjectFull: China
        Type: general
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      – TitleFull: Negotiating alternativity within boundaries: legitimacy and the dilemmas of Innovative schools in contemporary China.
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              M: 05
              Text: 2026
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              Y: 2026
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