School reform and philanthropy: Theory and literature

Thümler uses new institutionalism to analyze how philanthropic involvement in school reform seeks both legitimacy and performance. He argues that foundations adopt educational strategies not solely for effectiveness but also to conform to external norms, which helps secure resources and institutional acceptance. The chapter maps the tensions between rational actor assumptions and symbolic legitimation in education philanthropy. This perspective highlights how philanthropic efforts in education are often influenced by prevailing institutional pressures and the need to appear credible, rather than being driven purely by outcome-oriented motives, leading to a complex interplay of goals and strategies in the sector.