ABSTRACT
The underlying causes of the present controversies over selection are primarily historical, administrative and social. Nevertheless there are many aspects of the system which require careful consideration from the psychological standpoint. Some of the most widespread criticisms of current selection are that it favours middle as against working-class children, and thus increases class-segregation. A rather different type of criticism of the selection system is that it puts a premium on an academic type of ability, and fails to provide as good an education for those with other types of ability, and with the character qualities that make for leadership in our society. Psychologists would argue that if any long-term segregation is to be carried out, it must be based on some stable and enduring characteristic, which can be accurately assessed, and which has a major influence on educational progress. On psychological grounds, then, there would seem to be more to be said in favour of comprehensive schools than against.
