Making Sense of Education Policy : Studies in the Sociology and Politics of Education

by Geoff Whitty

• ISBN13: 9780761974529
• ISBN10: 0761974520
• eBook ISBN(s): 9781446231791
• Format: Paperback
• Copyright: 2002-07-24
• Publisher: Sage Publications Ltd
• More Book Details

Summary

The particular strength of this book is Geoff Whitty's grasp on and insights into the politics of education... he is able to bring to bear an authoritative perspective which is unrivaled in the United Kingdom. there is no other current book which compares in terms of the breadth and depth of this' - Professor Stephen Ball, Institute of Education, University of London This book aims to make sense of the changes in education policy over the past decade, using the resources of the sociology and politics of education. The author shows that wider sociological perspectives can help us to appreciate both the limits and the possibilities of educational change. Geoff Whitty illustrates this through studies of curriculum innovation, school choice, teacher professionalism and school improvement. He considers how far education policy can be used to foster social inclusion and social justice and the book concludes with an assessment of New Labour education policy in these terms. The book deals with education policy in England and Wales, as well as making comparisons with contemporary education policy in other countries. This book is relevant to students of education at masters and doctoral levels, students of social policy, and policy-makers.

Author Biography

Professor Geoff Whitty is Director of the Institute of Education, University of London

Table of Contents

Acknowledgements	vii
Introduction: sociology and education policy	1	(26)
School knowledge and social education	27	(19)
Peter Aggleton
Gabrielle Rowe
Devolution and choice in three countries	46	(18)
Sally Power
Re-forming teacher professionalism for new times	64	(15)
Consumer rights versus citizen rights in contemporary education policy	79	(15)
The overt and hidden curricula of quasi-markets	94	(13)
Sally Power
School improvement and social inclusion: limits and possibilities	107	(19)
New Labour, education policy and educational research	126	(15)
References	141	(24)
Index	165