Community, Hierarchy and Open Education (RLE Edu L)

The ideas and theories that are being propounded in education today are numerous and complex. This is a concise, illuminating guide to these educational theories which relates them to empirical evidence about the reality of schools, with emphasis on the peculiar English conception of a school. The book revolves around the themes of community, hierarchy and open education. It discusses the arguments for comprehensive education; the extensive power of the English head; community schools; Educational Priority Areas; traditional versus progressive education; equality of opportunity; the effects of school size upon pupils and teachers; integrated curricula and deschooling. It critically evaluates Basil Bernstein "s theoretical work on open education and discusses the implications of an organizational form congruent with open education.