Pallavi Amitava Banerjee – författare

Impact assessment of STEM initiatives in improving educational outcomes explores research evidence and labour market reports to show why successive governments think STEM education matters. It maps the policy background and the STEM crisis in the UK which led to the launch of the STEM informal education sector. These schemes funded by the government, educational charities and private organisations have now mushroomed at the local and national level. In the midst of so many activities for various age groups do we know what works or works better for specific group of students? Does one size fit all? The book provides a detailed report of a longitudinal national evaluation conducted in the UK by making use of official datasets. The activities evaluated here have not had a major influence on educational outcomes such as improved standardized national test results or increased STEM subject choices. The robust evaluation protocol described in this well-structured and thoughtful text will help schools to decide what works best for the studentsactivity providers to evaluate long term outcomes for the activities they run researchers to replicate the protocol for similar activities in other settingsMasters and PhD students understand how evidence from research can be used to inform policy and practiceThe results and implications combined with the recommendations made here will interest all those who are directly involved in the delivery of these enrichment and enhancement activities, practitioners using evidence, policy makers, the research community and schools wanting to run their own evaluations.

Very few students with vocational qualifications progress into the world of Higher Education. Many drop out of education altogether and take up entry level jobs with decreased financial prospects. This trend is worrying as the lack of students with vocational backgrounds applying to University acts as a barrier to social mobility.This book, informed by the research findings from Transforming Transitions - a collaborative project involving further education colleges, sixth form centres and Universities - addresses key concerns such as the background of those with vocational qualifications, the success of these students at university and any issues they may encounter in higher education. By analysing national datasets and conducting interviews with students and tutors across sixth form colleges and Universities, this important text discusses the socio-economic benefits gained from the vocational provision and transition to higher education.By highlighting the need to develop inclusive pedagogies and proposing practical recommendations, this book will prove to be an invaluable resource for Educational leaders, researchers and practitioners in higher education.

Very few students with vocational qualifications progress into the world of Higher Education. Many drop out of education altogether and take up entry level jobs with decreased financial prospects. This trend is worrying as the lack of students with vocational backgrounds applying to University acts as a barrier to social mobility.This book, informed by the research findings from Transforming Transitions - a collaborative project involving further education colleges, sixth form centres and Universities - addresses key concerns such as the background of those with vocational qualifications, the success of these students at university and any issues they may encounter in higher education. By analysing national datasets and conducting interviews with students and tutors across sixth form colleges and Universities, this important text discusses the socio-economic benefits gained from the vocational provision and transition to higher education.By highlighting the need to develop inclusive pedagogies and proposing practical recommendations, this book will prove to be an invaluable resource for Educational leaders, researchers and practitioners in higher education.