This book presents a major report that has evoked extensive controversy and initiated extensive policy debate on equality and achievement in education. It examines the concept of equality of educational opportunity and the relations between equality and achievement and between families and schools.

Most classrooms contain children from a variety of backgrounds, where home culture, religious beliefs and the family′s economic situation all impact on achievement. This needs to be recognised by teachers in order to establish fair, respectful, trusting and constructive relationships with children and their families, which will allow every child to reach their full potential. This book looks at real issues that affect teachers in the classroom, and examines a variety of influences affecting child development. It provides you with the theoretical and practical information you need to ensure you understand the complex factors which affect the children in your care, and it encourages good, thoughtful teaching. Dealing with some of the less widely addressed aspects of diversity and inclusion, the book considers: - children who are asylum seekers - the notion of ′pupil voice′ - what diversity and equality mean in practice - gender and achievement - looked-after children - social class - disability - ethnicity and whiteness This book is essential reading for any education student looking at diversity and inclusion, and for teachers in role looking for advice on how to meet the professional standards.

This concise introduction to the sociology of education demonstrates that differences between and within schools, homes, and peer groups are related in systemic ways to differences in educational outcomes. Addressing both empirical data and important theoretical concepts, it explores the impact that equality and achievement can have on academic success. Extensive coverage of thought-provoking topics, such as school size, tracking, reform and restructuring, youth cultures, parental involvement, and single parent households. The author examines equality and achievement in education, methodological issues, differences between homes, differences between schools, differences within schools, group differences and maximizing achievement and equality. For individuals interested in a concise introduction to sociology of education.

Most classrooms contain children from a variety of backgrounds, where home culture, religious beliefs and the family’s economic situation all impact on achievement. This needs to be recognized by teachers in order to establish fair, respectful, trusting and constructive relationships with children and their families, which will allow every child to reach their full potential. Dealing with some of the less widely addressed aspects of diversity and inclusion, this book looks at real issues that affect teachers in the classroom, and examines a variety of influences affecting child development. It provides you with the theoretical and practical information you need to ensure you understand the complex factors which affect the children in your care, and it encourages good, thoughtful teaching.

"Equality in Education: Fairness and Inclusion is a scholarly call to action. As the book reminds us, governments come and go and in doing so they busy themselves with policy to mark their patch. Inequality and exclusion remain stubborn foes that are proving to be somewhat impervious to glossy policy pronouncements. The change that Hugo Claus calls for requires careful analysis and bold actions. The editors have assembled a collection of insightful essays that assist in that project. Professor Roger Slee, Victoria University, Melbourne, Australia This book attempts to consider the notion of fairness and inclusion in the context of education from different national perspectives, which is a laudable undertaking. The Editors have managed to put together a diverse, informative, and interesting account of equality and fairness that transcends international borders. The Editors are to be commended on their remarkable achievement in bringing together so many authors to discuss such an important subject, yet producing a cohesive collection of chapters that elucidate the diverse nature of equity in education. Professor Divya Jindal Snape, University of Dundee, UK"

This fascinating compilation of the recent data on gender differences in education presents a wealth of data, analysed from a multitude of angles in a clear and lively way.