The State and Education Policy: The Academies Programme

This book draws together a group of international policy analysts and researchers to examine the Academies policy and implementation, locating it within a contemporary political analytical framework. This is the well-edited collection of papers by leading researchers and participants within a major reform process of the state and education system in particular. The shift from welfare based provision of public services to the quasi-market with private delivery and philanthropic investment is an issue that needs a thorough examination through evidence and rigorous argument. This book seeks to do this by not only charting events and providing detailed examination about what is happening but also by locating these developments within a contemporary political and social analytical framework. The topics covered include: the legal and political process of establishing Academies; the working and impact of Academies using a range of data and perspectives; and the debates and issues regarding this major reform, with comparative perspectives. The book will show how the Academies Programme in England is an important site for examining the growth of neoliberal ideas and practices in the framing and delivery of public services such as education.

Table of Contents:
Preface Francis Beckett / Introduction: Contested Educational Reform Helen M Gunter / 1. Academies and the Law David Wolfe / 2. Local Government Against Local Democracy: A Case Study of a Bid for Building Schools for the Future Funding for an Academy Richard Hatcher / 3. The Birth of Norwich's First School Academy: A Case Study John Elliott / 4. Academy Consultation Meetings: Local Discourse on a National Policy Kirsten Purcell / 5. Academies in the Public Interest: A Contradiction in Terms? Alan Dyson and Harriet Rowley / 6. From Reality to Vision: The 'Birth' of The Petchey Academy in Hackney David Daniels / 7. What Works? An Empirical Assessment of Strengths, Weaknesses and Next Steps for the Academies Initiative Judy Larsen, Valerie Bunting and David Armstrong / 8. Are Academies Working? Stephen Gorard / 9. 'Rapidly improving results': Penetrating the Hype of Policy-based Evidence Terry Wrigley / 10. Academies, Policy Networks and Governance Stephen J Ball / 11. Joining up the Dots: Academies and System Coherence Ron Glatter / 12. The New Enterprise Logic of the Academy Programme Brian J. Caldwell / 13. International Perspectives on Academies: Lessons Learned from Charter Schools and Choice Options Around the Globe Ellen Goldring and Madeline Mavrogordato / 14. Academies and the Myth of Evidence Based Policy: Limits and Possibilities Denis Gleeson / Conclusion: Public Education and Academies Helen M Gunter / Index