Education in a Post-Welfare Society

by Sally Tomlinson (Author)

• Used

  Paperback
  2001

  $3.36

  This book provides a context for understanding educational policies which is currently missing from education and social policy courses. It should be compulsory reading. - Len Barton, University of Sheffield. What have been the positive and negative effects of education reforms in recent years? Why are the moderate successes of state education unrecognised and education portrayed as 'failing' or in crisis? How has the reproduction of privilege by education persisted despite a rhetoric of equality and inclusion? Education in a Post-welfare Society provides a concise and critical overview of education policy, as government in Britain has moved from creating a welfare state to promoting a post-welfare society dominated by private enterprise and competitive markets. Concentrating particularly on the past twenty years, Sally Tomlinson places in context the avalanche of legislation and documentation that has re-formed education into a competitive enterprise in which young people 'learn to compete'. She also demonstrates how a relatively decentralised education system became a system in which funding, teaching and curriculum were centrally controlled, and education narrowed to an economic function. Chronologies of education acts, reports and initiatives are provided at the beginning of the first six chapters. Major legislation is summarised, and an extensive bibliography and annotated suggestions for further reading provide additional guidance. The result is an invaluable resource for students of social policy and education, as well as educational researchers and professionals.

• New

  Paperback
  2005

  $61.15

  Reviews of the first edition: 'This book must become the classic text for students of education, social and welfare policies. Sally Tomlinson, doyenne of policy-orientated education and social research, has written with commendable clarity and comprehensiveness a superb book on British education' - Journal of Social Policy . 'This book provides a context for understanding education policy which is currently missing from education and social policy courses. It should be compulsory reading' - Len Barton, Institute of Education, University of London. 'The persistence and reinforcement of class advantage through English education policy is a key theme! this book does a superb job of both highlighting the key social justice concerns and controversies over the last fifty years and providing an overview of education policy developments over the same period' - British Journal of Sociology of Education - Highly commended - S.E.S Book Prize 2002.The acclaimed first edition of Education in a Post-Welfare Society provided a critical overview of education policy since 1945. It demonstrated how a relatively decentralised education system became a system in which funding, teaching and curriculum are centrally controlled and privatisation encouraged, with education becoming a prop for global market economy rather than a pillar of the welfare state. The second edition continues the policy story up to 2005, covering two terms of a New Labour government and their plans for a third term. It also continues an examination of the relationship of education policy to social class, race, gender and the economy, paying attention to the educational disadvantages of some ethnic groups and refugee children.The book includes chronologies of education acts, reports and initiatives and summaries of major legislation. This is an invaluable resource for all those concerned with social policy and education, including educational researchers, professionals and politicians.