Despite there being significant numbers of state maintained Catholic schools in England, they have until recently proved to be of interest only to a minority of researchers, usually those directly involved in their promotion. New Government initiatives encouraging further diversity in the provision of schools have proved controversial and, in…

The core idea of action research is that there should be an intimate relationship between inquiry and practical or political activities. A challenge to this idea based on an influential ancient Greek hierarchy between theoria and praxis is examined. The contrary, pragmatist, notion that all inquiry arises out of human activity is accepted, but not…

This article examines secondary school admissions criteria in England. The analysis revealed that in a significant minority of schools, notably those responsible for their own admissions--voluntary-aided and foundation schools--a variety of criteria were used which appear to be designed to select certain groups of pupils and so exclude others.…

Many studies have demonstrated that a teacher has a substantial impact on how much pupils learn. However, research on the long-term effects of teachers is scarce, and the results obtained so far are inconsistent. Some studies have concluded that teacher effects are relatively permanent, while others claim that they fade away more or less rapidly…

Argues from a modified libertarian position that diversity and choice in school education are desirable unless some convincing argument and evidence can be shown that the costs greatly outweigh the benefits and any costs incurred cannot be reduced or overcome by limited state intervention. (MJP)

Discusses the difficulties in using cost-benefit analysis in education, examines in detail some of the documents supporting the modified libertarian position, and traces the development of policy on school choice. Documents the various new forms of selection that accompany increased choice and considers problems of social segregation. (MJP)

Attempts to make some sense of the Byzantine matrix of governing agencies, accreditation boards, and the objectives and goals of teacher education programs in England. Significant ideological differences exist between the academic accrediting boards and the governing agencies. Discusses the implications of this for higher education and educational…

Suggests that, over the last 15 years, management issues of teachers and other professionals have become increasingly similar. Uses examples and practice from the work of teachers, doctors, and the police in the United Kingdom to identify and discuss theses issues. Includes several charts showing organizational goals and objectives. (MJP)

Proposes three principles for a new progressivism. These establish the nature of individualism in education, the need to empower individuals through education, and the economy of means by which this can be achieved through progressivist methodology. Assumes a constructivist rather than a social-constructivist model of human development. (MJP)

Reiterates some of British historian R. G. Collingwood's ideas on education and uses a wide range of his works to develop them further. Discusses Collingwood's ideas on such subjects as, the aim of education, the nature and content of the curriculum, the organization of education, forms of experience, and self-knowledge. (MJP)

Analyzes information from a computerized database of Ph.D. candidates in history between 1921-90. Examines the numbers of doctoral degrees produced at each college within the university, as well as students' gender, nationality, and age. Questions previously held assumptions concerning rates of completion and submission. Includes statistical…

Explores the link between the established tradition of a nation's vocational training system and the specific pattern of state or government involvement in the process of skill formation. Maintains that the German government's participation in quality control and selective admission is limited and offset by other factors. (MJP)

Analyzes data collected from freshman at the University of Lisbon (Portugal) between 1989 and 1992. Suggests that high school records (grade point average and number of courses completed) are a better predictor of academic success than entrance examinations. Discusses technical aspects of the study and social implications of its results. (MJP)

Examines the admission criteria, placement test scores, and final examination scores of students at Oxford and Cambridge Universities for statistical evidence of gender and social inequality inherent in the system. Discovers irrefutable evidence of inequity among test scores and offers several explanations for this. (MJP)

Maintains that spirituality, by reason of its very nature and essence, is antithetical to the goals of state education. Argues that efforts to define spirituality as separate from religion are disingenuous and driven by a specific political agenda. Discusses the conflicting goals of spirituality and secular institutionalization. (MJP)