Educational Standards

by Goldstein, Harvey; Heath, Anthony

• ISBN13: 9780197262115
• ISBN10: 0197262112
• Format: Hardcover
• Copyright: 2000-06-08
• Publisher: Oxford University Press

Summary

Educational standards have figured prominently in recent debates over educational policy all over the world. This is the first time that such a distinguished collection of scholars have come together in the UK to discuss different perspectives on this issue. Two abiding themes emerge from these contributions to the debate. The first is that the very notion of a 'standard' has to be viewed in its historical and social context. Different countries have widely varying views of what constitutes a 'standard' and how necessary such a concept is for theadequate functioning of their educational systems. And, secondly, it is difficult, if not impossible, to arrive at an 'objective' definition of educational standards. Policies based upon comparisons of examinations, tests, or other devices should therefore be seen for what they really are humanjudgements which, however conscientiously pursued, are ultimately subjective and influenced by culture, personality, and general perceptions of the external world.

Table of Contents

Notes on Contributors	vii
Introduction	1	(8)
Harvey Goldstein
Anthony Heath
A Comparative Perspective on Educational Standards	9	(30)
Alison Wolf
Julia Whitburn
David Reynolds
Educational Standards in Historical Perspective	39	(30)
Richard Aldrich
Gillian Sutherland
The Role of Public Examinations in Defining and Monitoring Standards	69	(52)
Mike Cresswell
John Gray
Lindsay Paterson
Chelly Halsey
The Measurement of Standards	121	(30)
David J. Bartholomew
Harvey Goldstein
Ian Plewis
Bibliography	151