Key Issues In Education

This book focuses on educational experience as a lifelong and society-wide issue. The author draws on research, policy, and contemporary thinking in the field to provide a comprehensive guide to the educational inequalities that may exist and persist throughout an individual's educational course. Providing an international perspective on different ethnic, gender, and social groups, the book covers a broad range of issues, including:theoretical, policy, and research developments; inequalities that may exist during the years of schooling; government policy; and beyond the school classroom.

′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 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 analyse 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.

Considerable challenges can face all those involved in teaching children with special educational needs. Complex policy and legislation, bureaucracy, inspection and limited resources can all appear difficult obstacles to those seeking to provide effective tuition. In this highly practical book, Michael Farrell unpicks and clarifies the role of educational standards in today's schools. Drawing extensively on detailed, real-life case studies, he closely explores such issues as: the definition of standards, identifying and providing for special educational needs, assessment and benchmarking, curriculum provision and target-setting, the role of the Code of Practice. Special educational needs coordinators, senior managers in schools and students completing initial training courses will find this an invaluable resource, which effortlessly simplifies an often complicated process.

In this age of education innovation and reform, schools must evolve and react to current policy trends. This accessible book offers research-based insights into six key educational trends and issues that are impacting K–12 learning today: year-round schooling, assessments, educating minorities, anti-intellectualism, issues of social promotion and retention, and school design. Each chapter unpacks research and policy issues relating to these topics and provides administrators with practical advice on how they should approach these issues to improve learning in their schools. The ideas and strategies in Understanding Key Education Issues will help educators across the country achieve greater efficiency, better results, and a higher purpose.

Key Issues for Primary Schools is a concise comprehensive guide to the main issues in primary education and the implications for schools. Presented in a convenient A-Z format, the book includes coverage of: * special educational needs * attendance, truancy and exclusion * bullying and behavioural problems * management and administration * safety and security. There is also a review of up-to-date DfEE requirements and suggestions for further action and reading. The addresses of useful contacts help to make it a reference book no primary school should be without.

Understanding Contemporary Education offers an essential exploration of key concepts and issues in education that will allow education studies students, as well as trainee and practising teachers to engage in reflection, not only on work at the classroom level, but on education more broadly. Using detailed examples, the book problematises many popular and taken-for-granted views, allowing the reader to challenge and seriously consider the nature of the education enterprise. In each chapter, a concept is carefully considered, with major features, controversies, and strengths and weaknesses highlighted. Key follow-up questions challenge the reader to reflect on specific issues, and encourage involvement, not just in their own teaching, but in the planning and determination of the total programme of their school, and where possible, that of the nation. The book is divided into seven main parts: The Social Context of Education Education Policy Curriculum Teaching and Learning Leadership in Education Teacher Preparation International Developments in Education. Drawing upon a wide variety of theoretical positions, Understanding Contemporary Education provides an accessible introduction to key themes and concepts in education, challenging readers to fully consider the purpose of education and to reflect intelligently on issues that affect all schools. It is a must-read book for those on education studies courses, as well as trainee and practising teachers.

′This excellent book considers the extent to which policy and practice, particularly in the UK, have led to a more equitable education system and ultimately to a fairer society. The ideas and arguments are extremely accessible, wide-ranging and well-informed. A welcome addition to the reading list and one that I can highly recommend′ - Jane Bates, Programme Leader fo Education Studies, Manchester Metropolitan Univeristy Inequalities can be experienced in different forms, from birth to school experiences to the many different modes of learning as we grow up. This book focuses on educational experience as a lifelong and society-wide issue. The author draws on research, policy and contemporary thinking in the field to provide a comprehensive guide to the educational inequalities that may exist and persist throughout an individual′s educational course. Providing an international perspective on different ethnic, gender and social groups, the book covers a broad range of issues, including: - theoretical, policy and research developments in the area - inequalities that may exist during the years of schooling - government policy - beyond the school classroom This book is essential reading for undergraduate students on Education-Studies programmes. It is also useful for students on Masters and Initial Teacher Education programmes. Emma Smith is Reader in Education at the University of Birmingham

Key Issues in Early Years Education is the second edition of The Early Years: A Reader. This essential text for students and professionals is unique in its range of voices and topics and in its determination to see the child as central to learning and development. As in the first edition it not only has chapters written by key figures in the field of early childhood education and care but also by students on a range of early childhood programmes. Notable key figures from the first edition have been added including Helen Penn, Henrietta Dombey, Hilary Faust and Charmian Kenner. Rosemary Nalden, who is involved in significant work with children in South Africa, has added her voice to give us examples of children acting both as learners and teachers. This fully revised collection is a comprehensive investigation into the key issues in early years education which: provides a blend of real life examples and theory, drawn from a diversity of early childhood settings and classes is written in an accessible voice brings theory to life by linking it with practice examines how children explore, express and represent their worlds. Many of the original sections have been revised and updated to take account of changes to the education system over the last decade. Two new sections in this edition are Children as Thinkers and Problem-Solvers and Learning: A Second Chance, which looks at adults learning something new and considers the similarities and differences that might exist between them and children. This fascinating and highly readable book will be of interest to teachers, practitioners, students and anyone concerned with the care and education of our youngest children.