Equality and Inequality in Education Policy.

Overview & Synopsis

The articles in this reader provide a review of the history of education policy in relation to issues of equality and inequality. They also offer an overview and critique of specific areas of policy and a look at the ways policies operate in practice. The eight papers of Part 1, "History of Education Policy," outline the history of education policy in Britain in relation to class and gender divisions. Part 2, "Equal Opportunity Policies," includes six papers that contain comparative material on equal opportunities policies and discussions of equal opportunities in relation to race, gender, and special needs. These articles focus on Britain, but include an exploration of education policy in New Zealand. The four articles of Part 3 deal with equality issues in primary schools, teacher education, local government, and sexuality. Taken together, these articles examine education policy in the context of the major dimensions of social inequality. (Contains 6 figures, 9 tables, and 17 references.) (SLD)