Routledge Education System Design: Foundations, Policy Options and Consequences

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. Review "This book comes at a critical time when the values that underpin our democracy and its institutions, including schools, are under growing threats from the forces of globalisation. It recognises the urgent need for us to reconceptualise education, including the role of citizenship education, in ways that provide young people with the knowledge, skills and values not only to promote democracy but to protect and defend it. It also draws attention to the crucial role that that the education system plays in such a reconceptualization. Only a truly national education service can guarantee that all young people are educated to be the knowledgeable, responsible and reflective, active citizens that are and will be required to tackle with confidence the challenges of learning, working and living in 21st century societies. We ignore such a reconceptualization at our peril." David Kerr, Consultant Director of Education, Young Citizens and Head of ITT, University of Reading "The cumulative experience of the writers of this book is enormous. They have seen the system from so many different perspectives and their insights are fascinating. All of the writers are committed enough to offer their effort through a deep concern for the lasting health of the education system. It is a book well worth reading and it merits serious thought and action. In education we are trying to influence individual opportunity and build life-long habits and prospects so that today’s children can make a positive difference to their world. As for the best way to do that, let’s make decisions wisely." Mick Waters, previously Director of Curriculum at the UK government's Qualification and Curriculum Authority About the Author Brian Hudson is Emeritus Professor and former Head of the School of Education and Social Work (2012–16) at the University of Sussex, Honorary Professor and former Associate Dean for Research at the University of Dundee (2009–12) and currently Senior Professor at Karlstad University, Sweden. His particular research interests are in mathematics education, ICT and learning, curriculum studies and subject didactics. He is a board member and former chair of the Teacher Education Policy in Europe (TEPE) ( https://twitter.com/TEPEnetwork ); was the main organiser of the WERA ( www.weraonline.org ) International Research Network on Didactics –Learning and Teaching and is current