This book is about inequities in education in Europe. The authors have worked together on an analysis of educational inequalities in Europe, which they draw on through the book: they suggest that the countries of Europe, through the European Union, are beginning to address issues of educational disadvantage on a systematic, continent-wide basis. Because of this policy concern, this book is timely in the way that it addresses social and education inequities on the scale of Europe. This is not simply an account of practices and policies. The authors' analysis of individual country and European Union policy documents will be of practical and theoretical use to the policy community and the community of practitioners who are concerned with inequities in society, and in education in particular. The authors want to do more than simply add to the literature and theory: they aspire to make an impact on how education can contribute to positively improving the lives of disadvantaged groups. While some suggest that education is doomed to simply reproduce existing social patterns and replicate social inequities, the authors believe that educational policies have the potential to challenge inequalities, and to transform lives.
About the Author: Alistair Ross is Jean Monnet Professor of Citizenship Education and Emeritus Professor at London Metropolitan University (UK), where he was formerly Director of the Institute for Policy Studies in Education. He led the Erasmus Academic Network Children's Identity and Citizenship in Europe from 1998-2008. He has directed several research projects in Europe and the UK focusing on social justice in educational policy. Dr Melinda Dooly teaches at the Education Faculty of the Universitat Autonoma de Barcelona (Spain). Her research addresses teacher education and the use of technology, educational policies and citizenship education and identity. She is author of Doing Diversity: Teachers' Construction of Their Classroom Reality (Peter Lang), along with numerous articles and chapters. Nanny Hartsmar is Associate Professor in Education, Faculty of Education and Society at Malmo University (Sweden). Her research focuses on democratic education and disadvantages in education. She is a member of the European Commission Academic Network Children's Identity and Citizenship in Europe and is an executive member and President-elect of the Children's Identity and Citizenship European Association.