Education, Policy and Social Justice: Learning and Skills

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Description

James Avis develops an important argument in this wide-ranging book, in which questions of social justice play a central role. He explores the socio-economic and policy context of education in advanced capitalist societies, and indicates the manner in which the rhetoric of policy-makers distorts the way in which skill is marshalled in the economy. The result is that oppressive and exploitative features of paid labour are underplayed in this rhetoric. He examines the lived experiences of teachers and students in post-compulsory education and explores their contradictory positions. If questions of social justice are to be addressed, an economically driven model of education should be rejected in favour of one that is politically engaged and utilises an expansive model of practice, extending into the wider society.

Reviews

"Avis' vigorous mapping out of the contradictions between the social justice claims of Post-compulsory Education and Training (PCET) and its ambivalent relationship to the oppressive structures of value creation is an excellent resource to academics, postgraduate students and PCET practitioners." Dr Paul Warmington University of Birmingham, UK -- Dr Paul Warmington
Stimulating and readable... a detailed and insightful commentary on education policy and research over several decades, this book makes its own distinct analytical contribution to this project, and as such deserves to be read by all interested in the purpose and nature of education within wider society.' Professor Jeremy Higham University of Leeds, UK -- Professor Jeremy Higham
"What makes this book especially attractive is its appeal to those who might not necessarily consider themselves educators of adults or those who can form the next generation of adult educators. There is a constant need to re-introduce such ideas in a language and a context that is meaningful to them. So, Avis' work could serve as an excellent foundational textbook for any postgraduate course on work and learning, adult education and social justice, or the policies of lifelong learning." Tom Nesbit, Simon Fraser University Studies in the Education of Adults Vol. 41, No. 1, Spring 2009
"A very valuable resource not only for teachers, teacher educators, managers, policy makers and researchers in the learning and skills sector, but also for those working in the 14-19 schools sector. ... This relatively small volume marshals a breathtaking sweep of ideas in considerable depth yet, at the same time, with great succinctness. ... A sharp and authoritative critique of policy, practice and research in the PCET sector and thereby makes a very important contribution to thinking in this field."Higher Education Review

Author Bio

James Avis is Professor of Post-compulsory Education and Training at the University of Huddersfield, UK.