Three A ‘pivotal moment’? Education policy in England, 2005
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Alan Dyson
Abstract
This chapter argues that the Labour government reached a pivotal point in its third term, in relation to its two long-standing objectives of raising educational performance, while also reducing social class differences in attainment. It observes that evidence on progress towards these objectives in 2005 was mixed, with some indications that measurement of pupil performance in terms of test and examination results had produced some perverse effects and social inequalities in educational outcomes had increased rather than decreased. It argues that the 2005 Schools White Paper proposed two somewhat contradictory mechanisms for attaining the objective of excellence and equity. It points out on the one hand, that there is the mechanism of parental choice and reliance, again, on the quasi-market to produce improved educational standards and performance.
Abstract
This chapter argues that the Labour government reached a pivotal point in its third term, in relation to its two long-standing objectives of raising educational performance, while also reducing social class differences in attainment. It observes that evidence on progress towards these objectives in 2005 was mixed, with some indications that measurement of pupil performance in terms of test and examination results had produced some perverse effects and social inequalities in educational outcomes had increased rather than decreased. It argues that the 2005 Schools White Paper proposed two somewhat contradictory mechanisms for attaining the objective of excellence and equity. It points out on the one hand, that there is the mechanism of parental choice and reliance, again, on the quasi-market to produce improved educational standards and performance.
Chapters in this book
- Front Matter i
- Contents iii
- List of figures and tables v
- List of contributors vi
- Introduction 1
-
Key areas of social policy
- Personal social services: developments in adult social care 15
- Creating a patient-led NHS: empowering ‘consumers’ or shrinking the state? 33
- A ‘pivotal moment’? Education policy in England, 2005 49
- Strategic pragmatism? The state of British housing policy 65
- Social security policies in 2005 83
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Health and well-being
- More than a matter of choice? Consumerism and the modernisation of health care 101
- Being well and well-being: the value of community and professional concepts in understanding positive health 121
- Happiness and social policy: barking up the right tree in the wrong neck of the woods 145
- Using health and subjective wellbeing for quality of life measurement: a review 165
- Community well-being strategy and the legacies of new institutionalism and New Public Management in third way New Zealand 193
-
Ageing and employment
- Extending working life: problems and prospects for social and public policy 221
- Age discrimination in history 249
- Training and learning in the workplace: can we legislate against age discriminatory practices? 269
- Ageing and employment: looking back, looking forward 293
- Index 313
Chapters in this book
- Front Matter i
- Contents iii
- List of figures and tables v
- List of contributors vi
- Introduction 1
-
Key areas of social policy
- Personal social services: developments in adult social care 15
- Creating a patient-led NHS: empowering ‘consumers’ or shrinking the state? 33
- A ‘pivotal moment’? Education policy in England, 2005 49
- Strategic pragmatism? The state of British housing policy 65
- Social security policies in 2005 83
-
Health and well-being
- More than a matter of choice? Consumerism and the modernisation of health care 101
- Being well and well-being: the value of community and professional concepts in understanding positive health 121
- Happiness and social policy: barking up the right tree in the wrong neck of the woods 145
- Using health and subjective wellbeing for quality of life measurement: a review 165
- Community well-being strategy and the legacies of new institutionalism and New Public Management in third way New Zealand 193
-
Ageing and employment
- Extending working life: problems and prospects for social and public policy 221
- Age discrimination in history 249
- Training and learning in the workplace: can we legislate against age discriminatory practices? 269
- Ageing and employment: looking back, looking forward 293
- Index 313
