Key Issues in Education Policy
- Stephen Ward - University of Bath Spa
- Christine Eden - University of Bath Spa
Education Studies: Key Issues
What effect has two decades of intensive state direction and government involvement had on education?
Designed for Education Studies students who have probably grown up in this context of government intervention, this book deconstructs accepted notions and provides readers with the resources to discuss critically the role of the governments in education and schooling. The book examines government policy in a series of key areas, such as the curriculum, market forces, educational inequality, and race issues. Throughout, it considers the political and economic factors in education policy, introducing some of the fundamental concepts required to analyze the ideologies of education and the state. The authors explore the role of education policy in the context of the general direction of government policy, politics, and the economy, making links with other policy areas such as health, social services, home affairs, and foreign policy. They also explain the nature of government policy in terms of a globalization and the knowledge economy.
'Written with education studies students in mind, this book would also be a useful handbook for practising education professionals seeking insight into the political context of the settings within which they work...This is not a 'how to' text: the reader tasks enable reflection and understanding, rather than suggesting action - an approach which I personally find refreshing...This text performs its function well and enables readers to gain insight and understanding of aspects of education which we cannot afford to ignore' -
Learning and Teaching Update
'Ward and Eden have produced a useful and elegant text which deserves a place on the reading list of any education degree. I certainly hope that its readership goes beyond the most obvious target audience, as anyone involved in education would do well to read and enjoy this text' - ESCalate
'Education Policy is increasingly complex and opaque - this timely book brings clarity and reason to bear and is an ideal starting point for students and teachers struggling to understand the political world in which they work' - Professor Stephen J Ball, Institute of Education, University of London
This book provides a good overview of educational policy in the UK. It does not expect the reader to have prior knowledge and is therefore suitable for my undergraduates. At the same time it provides an interesting contemporary debate and it provide depth on a range of issues. Due to the clear structure of the book my students will find it easy to navigate their way to the parts that are of most interest.
This is a very well-written, comprehensive textbook, which, basically, covers pretty much all that the students need to know on my module!
At last a book that enables students to engage critically with the policy framework. As a volume, it models to students how they can get beyond taking policy at face value, and see it as a contested and messy set of processes. However, because the context is almost entirely England, we will have to do a lot of translating to help them apply such a frame to the Scottish policy context which is very significantly different. The chapter on Education and the State makes some claims that are plain wrong in relation to Scotland. This has its plus side, in that we can discuss the inaccuracies with students, but if this book goes to a second edition, maybe the most glaring mistakes (e.g. use of 'UK' instead of England when referring to English policy) could be amended.
This interesting and highly readable text that encourages reflection as well as providing a good grounding in contemporary education issues.
This is a good book for the background and underpinning knowledge of the issues in further education and how to relate policy to practice.
This text offers and in-depth insight into the key issues of education policy and maps these back within a historical, social, cultural and political contexts. A particularly good chapter on Gender and Education Policy - very informative
Have ordered five more copies for the library.
Excellent overview with comprehensive recommended readings and bibliography
Whilst the book is very informative, it did not meet the requirements of the programme in enough accuracy.
As my course is about post compulsory education this text has only partial relevance. It will however be a useful supplemental source.
