This timely book takes up the challenge of maintaining programs in the arts in the face of unrelenting pressure from two directions; the increasing focus on literacy and numeracy in schools, teamed with the cut-backs in public funding that often affect the arts most severely.

Drawing on the wealth of evidence already available on the impact of the arts, including the findings of a landmark experimental study in Australia, this text considers:

• The social and educational impact of neglecting the arts
• Research evidence on engagement in the arts
• Why there is a need for educational reform
• How to transform schools through engagement in the arts

This challenge to arts education exists at a time where an increasing number of students are becoming disengaged from the traditional schooling model that appears ill-suited to the needs of the 21st century and to the ways young people learn in a globalised, high-tech knowledge world. Transforming Education through the Arts provides illustrations from around the world that clearly show how the arts have transformed learning for disengaged students and established their worth beyond doubt in settings where the disengagement of students has hitherto been presented as an intractable problem.

Transforming Education through the Arts is an indispensible tool for policymakers and practitioners in school education and for academic and postgraduate students with an interest in the arts. It is also highly relevant to the work of individuals and organisations in the philanthropic sector and those in the wider community who place a priority in closing the gap between high and low performing students.

This timely book takes up the challenge of maintaining programs in the arts in the face of unrelenting pressure from two directions; the increasing focus on literacy and numeracy in schools, teamed with the cut-backs in public funding that often affect the arts most severely.

Drawing on the wealth of evidence already available on the impact of the arts, including the findings of a landmark experimental study in Australia, this text considers:

• The social and educational impact of neglecting the arts
• Research evidence on engagement in the arts
• Why there is a need for educational reform
• How to transform schools through engagement in the arts

This challenge to arts education exists at a time where an increasing number of students are becoming disengaged from the traditional schooling model that appears ill-suited to the needs of the 21st century and to the ways young people learn in a globalised, high-tech knowledge world. Transforming Education through the Arts provides illustrations from around the world that clearly show how the arts have transformed learning for disengaged students and established their worth beyond doubt in settings where the disengagement of students has hitherto been presented as an intractable problem.

Transforming Education through the Arts is an indispensible tool for policymakers and practitioners in school education and for academic and postgraduate students with an interest in the arts. It is also highly relevant to the work of individuals and organisations in the philanthropic sector and those in the wider community who place a priority in closing the gap between high and low performing students.

The broad approach of local management of schools or self-managing schools is now widely accepted. In Britain, there is even consensus between the three major political parties that the approach should be continued and extended. A key issue, though, is what comes next for self- managing schools? Drawing on their work and experience in research consultancy, Caldwell and Spinks examine the way in which education is changing, and outline what is desirable and workable for schools today, with clear guidelines for policy-makers and practitioners. The focus is specifically on the school, the classroom, the student, and the future of learning in society. Practitioners will find this book immediately accessible and useful.

The broad approach of local management of schools or self-managing schools is now widely accepted. In Britain, there is even consensus between the three major political parties that the approach should be continued and extended. A key issue, though, is what comes next for self- managing schools? Drawing on their work and experience in research consultancy, Caldwell and Spinks examine the way in which education is changing, and outline what is desirable and workable for schools today, with clear guidelines for policy-makers and practitioners. The focus is specifically on the school, the classroom, the student, and the future of learning in society. Practitioners will find this book immediately accessible and useful.

The Bible is true, the prophets were right, and Armageddon is now: Brian Caldwell explores the nature of hatred and forgiveness, divinity and damnation through the story of one person's confrontation with the end of the world, God, and, most harrowingly, himself.