Los proyectos de ley de fortalecimiento de la educación pública de los años 2008 y 2011: propuestas y silencios.

Approaching the issue from the area of educational policy, this article analyzes the education bills submitted for legislative review by two separate governments, the first in 2008 under President Bachelet, affiliated to the left-of-center coalition, and the second in 2011 under President Piñera, affiliated to the right-wing coalition. The bills submitted by both coalitions were intended to drive reforms that would strengthen the public education system in Chile. The relevant context in which the bills were created is first examined; most notably the student-led protests in 2006 and 2011 that initially motivated the proposed legislation. Through this examination, similarities between the bills are compiled concerning the proposed adoption of a system of sub-national institutionalism, or de-municipalization, in regard to the organization, budget, and functions of new local entities. Key aspects omitted from the proposed legislation will then be discussed, including the territorial implications and the availability of special funding, among other issues: a proposed revision of its principles and long term projections; analysis of the new institutional framework and its financing. The article concludes with an explanation of three areas that a sub-national education reform should address, in accordance with past studies and the grievances expressed denounced by the Chilean people. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]