Parents, Gender and Education Reform

Miriam David is Director of the Social Sciences Research Centre and Head of Research in Legal, Political and Social Sciences in the Business School at the South Bank University.

'Parents now play a more central part in educational policy through their role as parent governors in schools. But despite this, policy, or indeed assumptions about the ways in which schools should operate, are not based on a realistic view of the lives of mothers and fathers or on the ways in which family life has changed in recent years. Miriam David argues convincingly that we cannot sensibly discuss schooling without taking account of what goes on in the home. This book breaks new ground in its analysis of the relationship of home and school and is essential reading for anyone concerned with children, education or parenthood.' Martin Richards, Centre for Family Research, University of Cambridge 'This is a timely and thorough review of changes in party political positions, policy approaches and the preoccupations of social science research regarding education that enables us to appreciate the magnitude of the 1980s changes, particularly in respect of the shifting meaning of the partnership between home and school.'Jane Lewis, The London School of Economics and Political Science'A timely and interesting book.' Political Studies'David provides a good summary of family change in recent decades together with a balanced and comprehensive account of educational policy.' Social Policy

• Acknowledgements. 1. Introduction: Parents, Education Reforms and Social Research.2. The Family Policy Context: The War over the Family and Family Life Changes: 1944-1992.3. The Education Policy Context: The Idea of a `Meritocracy' from 1944-1976.4. The Education Policy Context: The Idea of a `Parentocracy' from 1976-1992.5. Parents and Education: The Social Democractic Reformer-Researcher Partnersip over Equal Opportunities.6. A Parental `Voice' in Education as Community, or Consumer, Involvement?.7. Parental or Family Choice of School, or of Education.8. Parental Involvement for School Effectiveness or Home Improvement?.9. Mothers in Education, or Mum's the Word?.10. Debating the Effects of Family Changes and Circumstances on Children's Education.11. Conclusions: Family Changes, Social Research and Education Reforms.Bibliography.Index.Index of Authors.