ABSTRACT

This book highlights decisions governments have to make about their public education systems, the options they have before them and the consequences of their decisions. As well as covering issues such as values, curriculum, teacher training, structures and so on, the book addresses education planning for epidemics, pandemics and disasters.

Education systems provide the foundations for the future wellbeing of every society, yet existing systems are a point of global concern. Education System Design is a response to debates in developing and developed countries about the characteristics of a high-quality national education service. It questions what makes a successful system of education. With chapters that draw on experience in education systems around the world, each one considers an element of a national education service and its role in providing a coherent and connected set of structures to ensure good education for all members of society.

Key topics include:

  • Existing education systems and what a future system might look like
  • Inclusion and social justice
  • Leadership and teacher education
  • Policy options, and the consequences of policy changes

This book suggests an education system be viewed as an ecosystem with interdependencies between many different components needing to be considered when change is contemplated. It is a vital book for any stakeholders in educational systems including students, teachers and senior leaders. It would be particularly useful to policy makers and those implementing policy changes.

section Section 1|39 pages

An education service for the future

chapter 1|17 pages

Towards a learning education system?

Globalisation, change, improvement and accountability in uncertain times

chapter 2|11 pages

Aims and values

Direction with purpose

chapter 3|9 pages

Developing your vision

Principles and implementation challenges

section Section 2|38 pages

England

chapter 4|13 pages

A ‘national education service’

What can we learn from the past?

chapter 5|8 pages

Politics aside

From fragmentation to coherence

chapter 6|15 pages

Education England

From chaos to consensus?

section Section 3|59 pages

Issues of social justice and inclusion

chapter 7|13 pages

Social mobility

A working class view

chapter 8|14 pages

Selection by wealth, ability and aptitude and faith

Good for a country or not?

chapter 11|10 pages

Adult and further education

The impact of austerity on life chances and wellbeing

section Section 4|72 pages

Curriculum, assessment, leadership and accountability

chapter 12|13 pages

The curriculum

Developing powerful knowledge and creative know-how

chapter 13|15 pages

National assessment choices

chapter 14|15 pages

Leadership, innovation and change

chapter 15|13 pages

An alternative approach to accountability and inspection

Evaluation for improvements in Finnish Teacher Education

chapter 16|14 pages

Accountability systems for schools

Coercion or cooperation?

section Section 5|39 pages

Teacher education

chapter 18|11 pages

Initial teacher education

What matters most and has worked well

section Section 6|36 pages

Policy options and consequences

chapter 20|12 pages

Policy options and consequences

What has to be done, when and with whom

chapter 21|22 pages

Education in emergencies

Pandemic/disaster planning for education sector continuity