Community, Hierarchy and Open Education (RLE Edu L) - Softcover

Book 179 of 244: Routledge Library Editions: Education

Easthope, Gary

 
9780415752985: Community, Hierarchy and Open Education (RLE Edu L)
Softcover
ISBN 10: 0415752981 ISBN 13: 9780415752985
Publisher: Routledge, 2014

Synopsis

The book describes the English school, especially the secondary school, as a hierarchical community in which the head-teacher (principal) is an autocratic ruler. After explaining how that particular organisation of the school developed historically from the market situation faced by the English public (i.e. private) schools in the developing industrial society of the nineteenth century it provides empirical evidence demonstrating that the hierarchies of knowledge, teachers and students that developed then were still in place when the book was published in 1975. They are still present today.

It also looks at the challenges to the school as a hierarchical community presented by the ideologies of deschooling, progressive education and open education. Finally, it provides an explanation of why these ideologies were never put into practice in English schools despite some pioneering exemplars.

Although first published over thirty-five years ago the issues examined in it raise questions that are still central to education today:

Does size of school affect the commitment of teachers to the school, their colleagues and their students?

How can the teaching staff be organised in a school? Do all need to work to the same ends? What is the role of leadership from the head-teacher (principal) in this?

Is it possible to have a curriculum that is open without losing rigour? What should be the relationship between using local community knowledge and the educational wish to extend students’ horizons?

The result is a short, nuanced, and densely argued text that demands thought and reflection from any contemporary educator.

"synopsis" may belong to another edition of this title.

About the Author

Gary Easthope

"About this title" may belong to another edition of this title.

Publisher
Routledge
Publication date
2014
Language
English
ISBN 10 
0415752981
ISBN 13 
9780415752985
Binding
Paperback
Edition number
1
Number of pages
160

Other Popular Editions of the Same Title

9780415505864: Community, Hierarchy and Open Education (RLE Edu L)

Featured Edition

ISBN 10:  0415505860 ISBN 13:  9780415505864
Publisher: Routledge, 2011
Hardcover