Making Sense of Education Policy: Studies in the Sociology and Politics of Education / Edition 1

by Geoff Whitty

Overview

‘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 LondonThis 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.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9780761974529
Publisher:	SAGE Publications
Publication date:	07/24/2002
Edition description:	First Edition
Pages:	168
Product dimensions:	6.14(w) x 9.21(h) x 0.38(d)

About the Author

Professor George Whitty is Director of the Institute of Education, University of London.

Table of Contents

Introduction
Sociology and Education Policy
School Knowledge and Social Education
Devolution and Choice in Three Countries
Re-Forming Teacher Professionalism for New Times
Consumer Rights versus Citizens Rights in Contemporary Education Policy
The Overt and Hidden Curricula of Quasi-Markets
School Improvement and Social Inclusion
Limits and Possibilities
New Labour,Education Policy and Education Research

Editorial Reviews

‘This book represents a "struggle" by the director of the London Institute of Education, one of our foremost centres of teacher training and research in education, to understand what lies behind the education policies of recent governments. It is tempting to conclude that if a leading educational sociologist such as Geoff Whitty, who happens also to be brother of the former general secretary of the Labour party, has difficulty with this, there can be little hope for the rest of us. But now, at least, we have this personal odyssey to guide us' - Bob Doe, Times Educational Supplement

From the Publisher