Century of Education

Education is a country's biggest business and the most important shared experience of those who live in it. A Century of Education provides an accessible, authoritative and fascinating overview of the role and nature of education in the twentieth century. Eminent historian of education, Professor Richard Aldrich has assembled a team of contributors, all noted experts in their respective fields, to review the successes and failures of education in the last century and to look forward to the next. A succinct overview of twentieth century social, economic, political and intellectual developments in the first chapter is followed by chapters on ten key topics. Each chapter has four sections: a review of the educational situation in 2000; a similar assessment in 1900; changes and continuities throughout the century; and a conclusion reviewing the lessons for today and tomorrow. This is a work of information, interpretation and reference, which demonstrates the strengths and weaknesses of education during the twentieth century and identifies educational priorities for the twenty first. For anyone interested in what has become the most important Issue of our time, this unique book is set to become a classic text. List of contributors, Acknowledgements, List of abbreviations, Key events in education in the twentieth century, Introduction, 1 Primary education, 2 Secondary education, 3 Further education, 4 Higher education, 5 Central and local government, 6 Teachers, 7 Pupils and students, 8 Special educational needs, 9 Curriculum, 10 Qualifications and assessment, Conclusion, Index