Presenting original quantitative and qualitative data from a large-scale empirical research project conducted in British secondary schools, Reassessing ‘Ability’ Grouping analyses the impact of attainment grouping on pupil outcomes, teacher effectiveness and social equality. Alongside a comprehensive account of existing literature and the international field, this book offers: Rigorous conceptual analysis of data A view of wider political debates on pupils' social backgrounds and educational attainment A discussion of the practicalities of classroom practice Recommendations for improved practice to maximise pupil outcomes, experiences and equity Vignettes, illustrative tables and graphs, as well as quotes from teacher interviews and pupil focus groups Addressing attainment grouping as an obstacle to raising pupil attainment, this book offers a distinctive, wide-ranging appraisal of the international field, new large-scale empirical evidence, and ‘close to practice’ attention to the practicalities and constraints of the classroom. Reassessing ‘Ability’ Grouping is an essential read for any practitioners and policymakers, as well as students engaged in the field of education and social justice.

The Chernobyl nuclear plant explosion on April 26, 1986, was the world's most serious nuclear power accident to date. This document examines the accident's impact on the world from a variety of perspectives. The first major section of the book provides a step-by-step account of the accident itself, beginning with the special testing that eventually led to the disaster. Included are data on the daily release of radioactivity from Chernobyl from April 25 to May 7, the maximum reported radiation levels in Europe following the accident, and the estimated direct financial losses in the Soviet Union resulting from the incident. The "Political Fallout" section examines public opposition to nuclear power in various countries. It provides a summary of both the citizen responses (such as protests, demonstrations, and petitions) and the political responses that followed the accident. Other sections examine the safety of nuclear power in general and the possible effects of Chernobyl on the once-held vision of a nuclear-powered world. Major adjustments in policy are traced in selected countries since 1980, and examples of governmental decisions to reduce or eliminate nuclear power are discussed. (TW)

Experts examine changing security arrangements in the Asia-Pacific region, particularly the rise of multilateral efforts at cooperative security.

How can school leaders shape organisations that offer consistently high quality, rounded and equitable education in the context of rapid change? How can wider education systems support and encourage all schools to succeed in this way? What are the challenges and opportunities involved? What can we learn from existing evidence and research? School Leadership and Education System Reform considers the ways in which school leadership and its practice has changed and developed in response to a rapidly changing educational context over the last decade. This new edition is substantially revised and updated, with ten completely new chapters. It includes contributions from a range of leading thinkers and researchers in the field of educational leadership and management. Theoretically and conceptually informed, the contributors draw on recent empirical research studies into leadership, learning and system reform in England and more widely to explore the key issues for contemporary school leadership and management in high-autonomy-high-accountability systems. New chapters look at: · System governance and lateral accountability in 'self-improving' school systems · Leading curriculum development and accelerating progress for disadvantaged children in schools · Effective deployment of teaching assistants/leadership for inclusion · School collaboration, partnerships and 'system leadership' · Securing improvement at scale, across multiple schools and across localities · New conceptions of leadership, including ethical and invitational leadership School Leadership and Education System Reform provides accessible but research and theory-informed chapters, each of which includes summaries and suggestions for further reading.