The 1970s saw a growing worldwide pre-occupation with school assessment; Britain witnessed lengthy debate in response to the proposals for examination reform initiated by the Schools Council, and the setting up of an Assessment of Performance Unit to monitor standards of achievement. This book analyzes the origins of school assessment and of international trends in practice, and explores the ideology of assessment which is now so widely accepted yet rarely questioned.

Assessment is a key area of interest and debate in education. Its increased use by governments as a powerful means of influencing educational practice are now features of the educational scene worldwide. This volume was the first major international review of such developments and it explores the impact of assessment on all areas of education, from teaching skills to policy-making.

The contributors take a global perspective to spotlight the common problems facing teachers and students, policy-makers and politicians through the world as they seek to reconcile issues of equity and national development, educational imperatives and finite state resources. The contributions discuss the changing role of assessment and public examinations, and consider such specific issues as the development of a market economy in educational provision, the difficulties of measuring standards in international studies, and accreditation of absolute rather than relative competencies.

In the World Library of Educationalists series, international experts themselves compile career-long collections of what they judge to be their finest pieces - extracts from books, key articles, salient research findings, major theoretical and practical contributions - so the world can read them in a single manageable volume. Readers will be able to follow the themes and strands and see how their work contributes to the development of the field. In a collection of her most influential work spanning nearly four decades, Patricia Broadfoot applies her trademark sociological and comparative perspective to empirical studies at every level of the educational system. From her classic long-term study of the impact of changing national assessment policies on pupils and teachers in the classrooms of England and France to her sustained championship of the need for a better understanding of the impact of assessment on learning, Broadfoot has consistently championed the need for a more developed sociological understanding of assessment. Broadfoot's accessible writing offers insights that are as novel as they are important for the education of future generations. This book allows readers to follow themes and strands across Patricia Broadfoot's career and will be of interest to all followers of her work and any reader interested in the development of teaching, learning and assessment.

Originally published in 1995, this volume brings together twenty classic contributions from the work of Desmond Nuttall as an educational researcher, thinker and policy adviser. A full commentary by two of his former colleagues who knew him well accompanies the text. They have set out to explain and explore the essence of his contribution to others. Much in the book is as relevant today as when the articles were written; put together they form a formidable collection. The book was published in the year after Desmond's death. It is hoped it will remain a fitting tribute to him. It will remind his friends of his classic ideas and brings together in one volume contributions that students of education may have missed.

Published in 1981. Throughout the world, education is a highly contentious political issue. Politicians are involved in educational decision making at all levels and very often educational reform is as much motivated by political ideology as by educational considerations. This book, which draws together the work of many leading authorities, examines the current state of educational politics in many parts of the world. The book looks at the problem from a theoretical and a comparative perspective, and then analyses the problem in particular areas which include North America, Western Europe and Third World countries.

Assessment is a key area of interest and debate in education. Its increased use by governments as a powerful means of influencing educational practice are now features of the educational scene worldwide. This volume was the first major international review of such developments and it explores the impact of assessment on all areas of education, from teaching skills to policy-making.

The contributors take a global perspective to spotlight the common problems facing teachers and students, policy-makers and politicians through the world as they seek to reconcile issues of equity and national development, educational imperatives and finite state resources. The contributions discuss the changing role of assessment and public examinations, and consider such specific issues as the development of a market economy in educational provision, the difficulties of measuring standards in international studies, and accreditation of absolute rather than relative competencies.

Documenting major intellectual and paradigmatic changes in the field of comparative education in the light of the history and development of the journal Comparative Education, this book compiles a selection of articles from forty years of the journal's distinguished history. It illustrates how changing times have been reflected in the nature and quality of published comparative research. Contributors explore the impact of key issues such as marketisation, accountability and globalisation upon policy and practice world-wide. They explore how new challenges faced by the social sciences have seen shifts in the contexts, issues and priorities attended to by comparatives and how different approaches to comparative education have influenced the intellectual and professional identities and positioning of those involved. Bridging theoretically oriented scholarship with empirically grounded research relating to issues of policy and practice and with chapters addressing questions of relevance throughout the world, this book is an invaluable resource of ideas and stimuli for further thinking and research.

In the World Library of Educationalists series, international experts themselves compile career-long collections of what they judge to be their finest pieces - extracts from books, key articles, salient research findings, major theoretical and practical contributions - so the world can read them in a single manageable volume. Readers will be able to follow the themes and strands and see how their work contributes to the development of the field. In a collection of her most influential work spanning nearly four decades, Patricia Broadfoot applies her trademark sociological and comparative perspective to empirical studies at every level of the educational system. From her classic long-term study of the impact of changing national assessment policies on pupils and teachers in the classrooms of England and France to her sustained championship of the need for a better understanding of the impact of assessment on learning, Broadfoot has consistently championed the need for a more developed sociological understanding of assessment. Broadfoot's accessible writing offers insights that are as novel as they are important for the education of future generations. This book allows readers to follow themes and strands across Patricia Broadfoot's career and will be of interest to all followers of her work and any reader interested in the development of teaching, learning and assessment.

Documenting major intellectual and paradigmatic changes in the field of comparative education in the light of the history and development of the journal Comparative Education, this book compiles a selection of articles from forty years of the journal's distinguished history. It illustrates how changing times have been reflected in the nature and quality of published comparative research. Contributors explore the impact of key issues such as marketisation, accountability and globalisation upon policy and practice world-wide. They explore how new challenges faced by the social sciences have seen shifts in the contexts, issues and priorities attended to by comparatives and how different approaches to comparative education have influenced the intellectual and professional identities and positioning of those involved. Bridging theoretically oriented scholarship with empirically grounded research relating to issues of policy and practice and with chapters addressing questions of relevance throughout the world, this book is an invaluable resource of ideas and stimuli for further thinking and research.

There has been much debate on the purposes and methods of assessment over the last couple of years. This book gathers together the latest thinking and looks at how assessment can be used to promote or inhibit learning. Issues discussed include how assessment can erode self-esteem and motivation, how skills of reflection, self-evaluation and personal target setting can impact on learning, how far learners of all ages understand what they are required to learn, how far students are able to evaluate their own performance and what schools can do in the short, medium and long-term to promote more effective learning.
Part of the What's in it for Schools series, this book is ideal for teachers and other non-academics concerned with education who require a grounding in the issue to help them in their daily work.

There has been much debate on the purposes and methods of assessment over the last couple of years. This book gathers together the latest thinking and looks at how assessment can be used to promote or inhibit learning. Issues discussed include how assessment can erode self-esteem and motivation, how skills of reflection, self-evaluation and personal target setting can impact on learning, how far learners of all ages understand what they are required to learn, how far students are able to evaluate their own performance and what schools can do in the short, medium and long-term to promote more effective learning.
Part of the What's in it for Schools series, this book is ideal for teachers and other non-academics concerned with education who require a grounding in the issue to help them in their daily work.

Originally published in 1995, this volume brings together twenty classic contributions from the work of Desmond Nuttall as an educational researcher, thinker and policy adviser. A full commentary by two of his former colleagues who knew him well accompanies the text. They have set out to explain and explore the essence of his contribution to others. Much in the book is as relevant today as when the articles were written; put together they form a formidable collection. The book was published in the year after Desmond's death. It is hoped it will remain a fitting tribute to him. It will remind his friends of his classic ideas and brings together in one volume contributions that students of education may have missed.

The 1970s saw a growing worldwide pre-occupation with school assessment; Britain witnessed lengthy debate in response to the proposals for examination reform initiated by the Schools Council, and the setting up of an Assessment of Performance Unit to monitor standards of achievement. This book analyzes the origins of school assessment and of international trends in practice, and explores the ideology of assessment which is now so widely accepted yet rarely questioned.

Published in 1981. Throughout the world, education is a highly contentious political issue. Politicians are involved in educational decision making at all levels and very often educational reform is as much motivated by political ideology as by educational considerations. This book, which draws together the work of many leading authorities, examines the current state of educational politics in many parts of the world. The book looks at the problem from a theoretical and a comparative perspective, and then analyses the problem in particular areas which include North America, Western Europe and Third World countries.

This work is based on a research project. The authors have sought to get behind the opinions to discover what has actually been happening in schools. Chapter titles include: teacher stances and strategies in response to change and the changing role of headteachers.

Are English children able to grasp grammar better or worse than that of children in other countries? Are they better or worse at numeracy than their neighbours? Does the English education system measure up to the challenge from its competitors? This is an examination of the education system in England as compared with neighbouring countries, such as France. This text shows what pupils in England and France are doing in the classroom and what standards they achieve. The voices of the pupils themselves articulate numerous perceptions.

"An Introduction to Assessment" is for all who work in education, including those on Education Studies programmes, those in initial teacher training, and practising teachers keen to update their knowledge. This book covers: definitions of educational assessment and the part it plays in relation to individuals, institutions and society; historical and sociological perspectives; the impact of educational assessment internationally and how this needs to change in the light of globalisation and changing employment needs; the advent of assessment as a policy tool with league tables and targets underpinning the overwhelming impact of accountability requirements; teacher appraisal and institutional self-evaluation, as well as international indicators; assessment for learning; and, new ideas concerning how assessment could be developed in the light of the advent of novel information technologies. In addressing these things, the author shows that assessment truly is a defining feature of contemporary education, and takes her overview to the cutting edge of thinking in this field with coverage of the scope of e-assessment, and assessment for learning as critically important ways forward. Written in an accessible and engaging style, "An Introduction for Assessment" is for all those who are seeking a non-technical introduction, yet one that is delivered by a leading academic in the field and offers a fresh look at educational assessment today.