Schools Making a Difference
Lets be Realistic!
Martin Thrupp(Author)
Open University Press
Published on 1. May 1999
Book
Hardback
240 pages
978-0-335-20213-3 (ISBN)
Description
Does an effective school really come about through the actions of teachers and school leaders, or does it also require an advantaged school intake? This question reflects a longstanding research debate about whether or not the social class mix of a school's student intake has much effect on individual achievement. This text presents evidence suggesting that school mix is likely to be important because of the way many school processes are deeply influenced by student intake characteristics. Low socioeconomic schools face numerous intake-related constraints which make them highly resistant to improvement efforts. By suggesting that "failing" schools are often overwhelmed rather than ineffective, this text provides a sympathetic reappraisal of the performance of teachers and school leaders in such schools. It also offers a critical response to the often unrealistic claims of the school effectiveness and school improvement movement and a fresh critique of market reforms in education.
More details
Language
English
Place of publication
Milton Keynes
United Kingdom
Target group
College/higher education
Professional and scholarly
Illustrations
references, index
Dimensions
Height: 235 mm
Width: 159 mm
Weight
570 gr
ISBN-13
978-0-335-20213-3 (9780335202133)
Copyright in bibliographic data is held by Nielsen Book Services Limited or its licensors: all rights reserved.
Schweitzer Classification
Content
Part 1 The problem of school mix: the social limits of reform; school effectiveness research and the enduring problem of school mix; possible mechanisms and a research strategy. Part 2 The Wellington schools: setting the scene; it's not what you know...; the negotiated curriculum; the art of the possible. Part 3 Theory, practice, policy and research: understanding the impact of school mix; social class segregation and the politics of polarization and blame; improvement research - how realistic?; conclusion - let's be realistic!.