Scaling-Up Educational Innovations: A Systematic Literature Review of Influencing Factors (2000-2023)

Abstract

Scaling educational innovations has gained attention, but the conceptual framework remains unclear and key factors are underexplored, leading to a reactive rather than proactive approach. This study examines factors affecting scaling at the designer, teacher, school, and system levels to clarify their interconnections across the education system. In a final sample of 25 research articles identified systematically, the study highlights multiple influencing themes at each level. Overarching themes are resources, capacity building, strategy, leadership, governance, politics and culture - within each are multiple sub factors. At the designer level, factors include resources, design and implementation strategies. At the teacher level, cultural norms, working conditions, and professional development are key. At the school level, leadership, policies, and resources are critical. At the system level, politics, policies, funding, and capacity are significant. We propose that collective leadership at every level is key to effective system scaling. Adapting a health innovation scaling implementation model to education, the study addresses reactive strategies. The study highlights how socio-political instability and donor-driven, uncoordinated efforts in fragile Education in Emergency states like Lebanon hinder sustainable reforms. The lack of Arab region-focused literature on scaling may stem from language barriers, though the discourse is growing. We urge a critical perspective on educational innovations, emphasizing the need to address not just immediate practice problems but also historical and systemic factors to avoid exacerbating existing inequities. The study concludes with a conceptual framework on scaling-up education innovation across systems for systems change emerged from the key findings and analysis of this study. Recommendations for both researchers and practitioners were included. To enhance future scaling efforts, researchers should do country-specific research, include diverse sources and develop informal networks for knowledge sharing and establishing research priorities. Education practitioners should encourage, integrate scaling principles into training, and develop structured plans for sustainable and proactive implementation.