International Journal of Sociology and Social Policy

New Class Inequalities in Education: why education policy maybe looking in the wrong place! Education Policy, Civil Society and Social Class. : Table of Contents

Prof. Stephen J Ball — Mon Mar 01 02:05:39 GMT 2010

Abstract:
Purpose - The paper aims to develop a case for re-considering the role of schools in education policy. The argument is made that considerable amounts of the variation in pupil performance amy in fact derive from factors based upon variations in parents' ability to buy-in support and enrichment of various kinds for their children.Design/methodology/approach - The argument of the paper is developed using secondary sources to make the case for non-school explanations of variations in pupil performance and then offers a set of illustrations of the variety of types of bought-in support and enrichment now being used in some families.Findings - The paper concludes with the point that two contradictory education policy discourses are in play under New Labour. One, the discourse of standards/achievement, which works through testing, benchmarks, league-tables, ‘coasting’ schools, special measures etc., totalises, individualises and commodifies the student as an ‘ability’ – a cluster of performances. And in turn gives rise to ‘local economies of student worth’ that ‘value’ students differently within the processes of ‘school choice’. The other, the discourse of choice and active parenting, totalises, individualises and commodifies parents and families as ‘consumers’ of education and investors in cultural capital. Research limitations/implications - The paper is discursive, exploratory and wide-ranging. It sets out to make a plausible case that would merit further research rather than to establish at this stage a set of firm conclusionsPractical implications - If the argument is taken seriously then the focus of education policy would be decisively shifted. There is some evidence of a shift of emphasis towards more intervention and individual attention but achievement differences remain firmly located within schools.Originality/value - Little attention has been focused on this kind of argument and there has certainly been not attempt the map the variety of and growth in private educational services.

Economic inequality and poverty: where do we go from here? : Table of Contents

Dr. Noel Smith — Mon Mar 01 02:05:39 GMT 2010

Abstract:
Purpose - The paper compares applied social policy approaches to child poverty and economic inequality, the latter being mainly operationalised in the UK in terms of social mobility.Design/methodology/approach - The paper considers the theoretical stance underpinning New Labour’s approach towards social policy, with particular reference to ‘individualisation’, and reviews Government strategies towards tackling poverty and economic inequality.Findings - Despite a decade of unprecedented investment, there is an impasse in reducing child poverty and economic inequality has increased. Policy now relies on education as being the clinching factor to break this impasse. Education is vital but education alone will not tip the balance in eradicating poverty. The assumption that education will facilitate social mobility, by serving to position the UK at the high end of the global labour market, fails to address the prevalence of the ‘low pay no pay’ cycle associated with the flexible labour market. Further measures are necessary to ensure that the labour market accommodates the needs of those entering it. Originality/value - Given the failure of current social policy to address poverty and inequality, especially given that post-recession conditions are likely to be less favourable than in the last decade, there is an urgent need for bold, new policy thinking. Pinning all hopes on education – and seeing solutions only in terms of individuals’ skills and aspirations, without critical consideration of the nature of the labour market – cannot be accepted as the best way forward.

Community Empowerment: Identifying the Barriers to 'purposeful' citizen participation : Table of Contents

Prof. David Adamson — Mon Mar 01 02:05:39 GMT 2010

Abstract:
Purpose - The paper examines Communities First, an area-based regneration policy in Wales to explore the barriers to community empowerment. Three related research projects provide data to inform the discussion of community empowerment and to consider the implications of delivery of the policy for theorising the relationship between the citizen and the state as mediated through regeneration partnerships.Design/methodology/approach - Data from three related research projects are discussed. These are an evaluation of local delivery of the Communities First programme, the delivery of technical support to participating communities and a Joseph Rowntree funded case study of nine regeneration partnerships. All projects are concerned with exploring the experience of community member within regeneration partnmerships.Findings - The findings identify major barriers to the achievement of community empowerment including issues of community capacity, institutional capacity, organisational cultures and regulatory frameworks. The findings identify mechanisms for improving community participation and empowerment. The findings are also used to identify community actor agency within regeneration partnerships and to argue against an analysis of regeneration initiatives as a mechanism of social control and incorporation of community activism into a state led agenda.Research limitations/implications - The paper explores one specific policy within a UK devolved region and is not able to comment extensively on similar policy programmes in other areas of the UK. However, it sues this specific experience to comment on generic issues in the community empowerment field and to elaborate theory on the relationship between the citizen and the state.Practical implications - The paper offers practitioners and policy makers insight into the community experience of participation in regeneration partnerships and proposes methods and policy refinements which can improve empowerment outcomes and assist community participation to achieve higher levls of influence over stautory partners Originality/value - Whilst the paper identifies barriers to empowerment that are recognised in the wider literature it demonstrates that such barriers can prevail even within a highly participative policy framework such as Communities First. The paper also provides evidence of a clear sense of agency on the part of community members of regeneration partnerships and counters models which suggest regeneration partnerships are simple mechanisms of social control which diffuse community activism.

Effectiveness, inequality and ethos in three English schools : Table of Contents

Prof. John Holford, Dr. Laura C. Engel, Dr. Helena Pimlott-Wilson — Mon Mar 01 02:05:39 GMT 2010

Abstract:
Purpose - This paper explores the nature of effective schools serving socially disadvantaged communities, and to point to an overlooked feature in the literature on school effectiveness in relation to social inclusion.Design/methodology/approach - As part of a trans-European project, three English schools were investigated. A qualitative case study approach was utilised. The schools selected had high proportions of ethnic minority students with low socio-economic status backgrounds, yet demonstrated successful results.Findings - The data show the importance of high expectations, and the development of classroom and school-wide systems to translate these into practice. This reflects areas highlighted by earlier research on schools in disadvantaged communities. The data also point to important conclusions about school ethos.Research limitations/implications - The findings are based on a sample of three schools. Though purposively selected (as successful in challenging circumstances), further research is needed into the role of an inclusive ethos in school effectiveness.Practical implications - As Scheerens & Bosker (1997) argue, schools are most important for underprivileged and/or initially low-achieving students. Improving the effectiveness of schools in disadvantaged communities is therefore vital, and an ethos of inclusion is an essential dimension in this.Originality/value - The conclusions mirror in many respects the findings of earlier research on effective schools in socio-economically deprived communities. However, the paper also draws attention to the importance of developing and sustaining an ethos of inclusion in schools serving disadvantaged communities.

Welfare and Long-term care in the East and West: Cross-national inequalities : Table of Contents

Dr. Henglien Lisa Chen — Mon Mar 01 02:05:39 GMT 2010

Abstract:
Purpose - This paper provides an overview of the inequalities between three countries – England, the Netherlands and Taiwan – in relation to the welfare and long-term care of older people. It compares the positive and negative distinctions between the respective countries and their systems.Design/methodology/approach - This paper discusses and analyses data from public sources and literature and measures the similarities and differences between demographic and social issues, the cultural and political differences shaping policy objectives, economic constraints and long-term care services.Findings - All three countries face similar pressure in long-term care provision of ageing populations, funding limitations and shrinking numbers of carers. None of the countries studied completely conforms to Esping-Andersen’s ideal types; instead they seem to constitute hybrids. The care system in the Dutch social democratic-conservative welfare regime seems to provide wider support for older people who need care, the English liberal-social democratic welfare regime comes second and Taiwanese conservative-liberal welfare regime comes third. Overall, some converse trends of the long-term care systems indicate a narrowing of the gap in responsibility between state, family and individuals in the East and the West. Research limitations/implications - The difficulties in comparing national and even international databases are well known as they are not always strictly comparable. Therefore I have indicated specific anomalies where they occur. While such indicators need to be treated with care, nevertheless they supply us with a basic understanding of social, political and economic circumstances. Practical implications - The paper contributes suggestions to further research in the area of elements and structures of care systems support and the failure to provide ongoing quality of long-term care and reflects on the implications for the global market of care-workers and the extensive use of migrant workers in the field.Originality/value - The paper provides a detailed consideration of the wide-ranging issues that impact on older people’s care provision in England, the Netherlands and Taiwan.

Does the Welfare State Reduce Inequalities in People’s Social Capital? : Table of Contents

Prof. Wim van Oorschot, Ms. Ellen Finsveen — Mon Mar 01 02:05:39 GMT 2010

Abstract:
Purpose - To analyse whether social capital inequalities are smaller in more extensive welfare statesDesign/methodology/approach - Analysis of data from European/World Values SurveysFindings - No effect of welfare stateness on social capital inequality is foundResearch limitations/implications - Extension of analysis with a broader range of welfare states might show effectOriginality/value - First time in literature that the relationship between welfare stateness and social capital inequality is empirically studied