The Inspector of Schools: Quality Assurance is a book by Ben D. Odhiambo, a Kenyan educationalist with over thirty-three years experience in all matters education. Having served as a school teacher, a teacher trainer, an inspector of schools, an educational administrator, an education publisher amongst many other varied roles, the author is uniquely placed in his outlook in what makes a successful inspector of schools. It is this distilled wisdom in the form of theory on matters pertaining to the inspection of schools and backed by solid experience on the ground that he has shared with us this book. The book is not only relevant to the aspiring or practicing inspector of schools, but to a host of other stakeholders in the education sector including teachers, administrators, parents, governmental officials and employers.

This book provides an overview and discussion of the evidence base of effective school inspections; reflecting on issues of validity and reliability of school inspections in relation to school effectiveness research, unintended consequences and emergent roles and responsibilities of Inspectorates of Education. Chapters include findings from systematic literature reviews and primary research while also presenting a range of practical examples from inspections systems from all over the world. The book provides relevant background materials for Inspectorates of Education who aim to improve the effectiveness of their systems and working methods, as well as clear examples for researchers aiming to analyse and understand the effectiveness of these systems. The final chapter reflects on changes in the current education landscape and discusses newer models of school inspections that fit within a more decentralized inspection system.

This is the first major study of the development and practice of school inspection and evaluation across Europe from its origins to the present day. The book demonstrates how European practice has grown to influence education systems across the world. It is required reading for school inspectors, evaluators and education policy formers.

The remit of the Office for Standards in Education (OFSTED) is to improve standards and quality of childcare and education for learners up to 19 years of age through regular inspection, some of which is carried out jointly with other inspectorates. This annual report covers the year 2004-05 and includes sections on childcare and early learning; primary and maintained nursery schools; secondary schools; special schools; pupil referral units; further education colleges; initial teacher training; local education authorities. Also included is a section on surveys and themes examining national education strategies in schools in different areas. A final section takes a retrospective view on inspection and the contribution OFSTED has made to education over the past 13 years. An accompanying CD-ROM includes detailed reports on subjects in schools and curriculum areas in colleges.

L is for Lawless is the twelfth in the Kinsey Millhone mystery series by Sue Grafton. It was the week before Thanksgiving when Kinsey Millhone first heard the sad story of the late Johnny Lee, the World War II fighter pilot of whom, rather mysteriously, the military authorities have no record. His family are concerned – perhaps Kinsey could make a few calls, straighten things out? Then Johnny's apartment is ransacked. In the debris a hidden safe is uncovered – and in that safe is a mysterious key marked LAWLESS. That night Kinsey's on a plane to Dallas, at the start of a thrilling rollercoaster ride through Texas and Kentucky on the trail of long-buried treasure. Unfortunately there's a fire-raising psychopath on her tail . . . And she's going to be late for a very important wedding . . .