Education policy / by Ian Abbott, Michael Rathbone, Phillip Whitehead.

Includes bibliographical references and index.

"Do you find it difficult to keep up with the pace of change in education policy? This essential book takes an historical perspective to illuminate current educational issues. The authors draw on documentary evidence to describe, record and analyze education policy in England and Wales since the Second World War. Inside you will find in-depth interviews with a number of former Education Ministers, and others who were directly involved in the development and implementation of education policy. Key decision-makers such as David Blunkett, Ed Balls and Michael Gove are asked to discuss the historical context of their period of office and to consider the lasting legacy of the policies they have been responsible for. This is a must-read for graduate students in education courses. It will be a valuable resource to undergraduates studying modern history and social policy, as well as international students who wish to gain an insight of the English education system. From Butler to Balls and beyond, this book provides a unique insight into the impact and legacy of education policy."--Publisher's website.

Part 1: 1944-1979: Post-war consensus. 1944-1960: The Post-War Consensus: Education for All? ; 1960-1969: A Decade of Social and Legislative Innovation ; 1970-1979: The Breakdown of Consensus. -- Part 2: 1979-1997: Marketisation and competition. 1979-1987: Introduction of Competition into Education ; 1988-1992: Education Reform: A Period of Turbulence ; 1992-1997: Education Practice under the Microscope. -- Part 3: 1997-2010: Blair and beyond. 1997-2001: The First Labour Government since 1979 ; 2001-2007: The Second Phase of the Labour Government ; 2007-2010: The Final Part of the New Labour Project. -- 2010 and beyond: interesting times.