Schooling in Western Europe: The New Order and its Adversaries - Hardcover

Jones, K.; Cunchillos, C.; Hatcher, R.; Hirtt, N.; Innes, R.; Johsua, S.; Klausenitzer, J.

Hardcover

ISBN 10: 0230551432 ISBN 13: 9780230551435

Publisher: Palgrave Macmillan, 2007

Synopsis

Education in Europe is being transformed by a new policy orthodoxy, affecting all aspects of the school. Private sector involvement, decentralisation and curriculum reform are everywhere part of a reshaping of the school in the name of the competitiveness of a European knowledge economy. But these changes are accompanied by controversy. New policies challenge ideas about the value and purpose of education that have deep roots in the systems created by reforming movements in the post-war decades.

Drawing from the experience of researchers and activists from six Western European countries, this book analyses the terms of the new orthodoxy, as developed by bodies such as the European Union and the OECD. It explores the remaking of teaching and learning, management and governance and looks at new patterns of access and inequality. It is appreciative of reform's political successes, and critical of the narrowness of its educational vision. Finally, it argues that the conflicts that surround policy change are not yet settled; the opposition encountered by national governments, and by the EU itself, may yet take schooling in new directions.

About this title

Review:

'...providing a comprehensive and coherent overview of recent policy developments in education and their impacts across Europe...The text is both informative...and illuminating in its synthesis of the different elements of the neo-liberal re-ordering of schooling'. - Jenny Ozga, Journal of Education Policy

Synopsis:

At a time of major changes in education, this book reflects the most recent data from 2007. It discusses current developments in context of post-war change throughout Europe. It establishes a new framework within which common processes can be identified. Authors of this book have both research and professional experience and work from original sources in analysing social movements, teachers' and students' roles.Schooling in Europe is being transformed by a new policy orthodoxy, developed - for instance - through the EU and the OECD, and affecting all aspects of the school. Privatization, decentralization, and business focused curriculum reform are all on the rise. The authors consider the impact and conflict of such changes on schooling in England, France, Germany, Italy and Spain.

About this edition

• Publisher: Palgrave Macmillan
• Publication date: 2007
• ISBN 10: 0230551432
• ISBN 13: 9780230551435
• Binding: Hardcover
• Number of pages: 233