Stephen Machin

Lee Elliot Major

What are the effects of decreasing social mobility? How does education help - and hinder - us in improving our life chances? Why are so many of us stuck on the same social rung as our parents? Apart from the USA, Britain has the lowest social mobility in the Western world. The lack of movement in who gets where in society - particularly when people are stuck at the bottom and the top - costs the nation dear, both in terms of the unfulfilled talents of those left behind and an increasingly detached elite, disinterested in improvements that benefit the rest of society. This book analyses cutting-edge research into how social mobility has changed in Britain over the years, the shifting role of schools and universities in creating a fairer future, and the key to what makes some countries and regions so much richer in opportunities, bringing a clearer understanding of what works and how we can better shape our future.

Social Mobility and Its Enemies

Britain has become a country defined by economic, geographical, and political divides. Its low social mobility is an increasingly pressing issue and the failure to do something now will mean greater problems for future generations, but what can be done to reverse this trend. Through the use of cutting-edge data this book summarises what we know about social mobility in Britain, documenting the history of mobility trends since the Second World War; detailing the recent dark age of declining absolute mobility, charting the variation of social mobility by place; and considering how family traits affect intergenerational mobility. The authors then call for a fundamental shift in debates about social mobility, arguing that simply tinkering with current policies will not transform society to the extent that is needed. Only by establishing general principles of fairness in society- relating to notions of community and collective responsibility – can we agree the major policy reforms that can make Britain a more mobile and just society. ABOUT THE SERIES: The ‘What Do We Know and What Should We Do About...?′ series offers readers short, up-to-date overviews of key issues often misrepresented, simplified or misunderstood in modern society and the media. Each book is written by a leading social scientist with an established reputation in the relevant subject area. The Series Editor is Professor Chris Grey, Royal Holloway, University of London

What Do We Know and What Should We Do About Social Mobility?

How can you help your children do well at school and beyond? It's a question millions of parents are asking themselves as they go to ever greater lengths to secure the best education results for their children. By the time they leave home, many parents will spend 10,000 days trying to help their children prepare for adulthood. Here for the first time are the essential evidence-informed tips to make you an effective parent educator. The Good Parent Educator provides the tools that will turn excessive parenting into effective learning. Whether it is helping children learn to read or revise, engaging with teachers, paying for private tutors, choosing a school, or deciding which degree or apprenticeship to apply for, this is the must-have expert guide. It reveals what really matters in education, debunking the many education myths and misconceptions that can harm children's learning. Enabling parents to focus on effective uses of their time will lead to better outcomes, but also to a more balanced life. Based on the findings of thousands of studies, but also filled with personal parenting stories, the book's ultimate aim is to empower children through education so they become independent thinkers ready to prosper in the world.

What Every Parent Should Know about Their Children's Education

The Good Parent Educator

Steve Higgins

From the authors of the Sutton Trust-EEF Teaching and Learning Toolkit comes What Works?, a must-read guide that summarises the research and hard evidence of what works and what doesn't in primary and secondary classrooms, and provides practical strategies for transforming pupils' progress. Lee Elliot Major and Steve Higgins look at common teaching approaches, including raising aspirations, improving behaviour, outdoor learning and parental engagement. They present the research and evidence behind each approach and provide practical steps for best practice in the classroom to boost the learning and life outcomes of all pupils. Explored in a concise, accessible manner, the research and evidence is distilled into clear, precise guidance that can be used immediately, ideal for any busy teacher. What Works? makes it easy for all primary and secondary teachers to become research-informed practitioners in every aspect of their teaching. From debunking enduring education myths to providing practical next steps and strategies that really make a difference, this is the essential guide to evidence-based teaching and a must-have for every teacher looking to increase their impact in the classroom.

Lee Elliot Major

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