A study found that significant inequalities in education and training are strongly associated with local economic disparities; and that strategies for addressing the problem need to be closely connected with plans for development of local economies.
Source: Masahiko Sano, A Statistical Analysis of the Relationship between the Economy and Education in England in the 1990s, Working Paper 37, Centre for Labour Market Studies/University of Leicester (0116 252 5950)
Links: Report (pdf)
Date: 2002-Nov
The government said that it will produce a Green Paper on children at risk, which will consider measures to reduce levels of educational under-achievement, offending, anti-social behaviour, teenage pregnancy, and ill health.
Source: Press release 30.10.02, Cabinet Office (020 7261 8527)
Links: Press release
Date: 2002-Oct
Researchers examined the links between parents' employment and their children's subsequent educational attainment, using data for 1991-97 from the British Household Panel Survey. Full-time employment by the mother when the child was aged 0-5 was found to have a 'negative and significant' effect.
Source: John Ermisch and Marco Francesconi, The Effect of Parents' Employment on Children's Educational Attainment, Working Paper 2002-21 , Institute for Social and Economic Research/University of Essex (01206 873087)
Links: Working Paper (pdf) | Abstract
Date: 2002-Oct
The government announced that spending on the Excellence in Cities programme is to be continued for a further three years, and extended to 13 new areas. (The programme encourages groups of schools in deprived areas to link up as learning networks or communities.)
Source: Press release 14.10.02, Department for Education and Skills (0870 000 2288)
Links: Press release
See also: Journal of Social Policy Volume 31/4, Digest 124, paragraph 3.3
Date: 2002-Oct
Research was published on the relationship between disadvantage and under-achievement in learning in Northern Ireland.
Source: Can Do Better - Educational Disadvantage in the Context of Lifelong Learning, Civic Forum (028 9052 8841)
Links: NIE press release
Date: 2002-Sep
Researchers reported on local education authority action plans for the ethnic minority achievement grant for 1998-99 and 1999-2000, and on performance data for minority ethnic groups returned by LEAs for summer 2000.
Source: Leon Tikly, Audrey Osler, John Hill and Kerry Vincent, Ethnic Minority Achievement Grant: Analysis of LEA Action Plans, Research Report 371, Department for Education and Skills (0845 602 2260)
Links: Report (pdf)
Date: 2002-Sep
Benefits of community schools
A study found the New Community Schools programme brings considerable benefits to young people. The programme aims to raise educational standards and promote social inclusion, and in particular to help disadvantaged young people achieve their full potential.
Source: Pamela Sammons, Sally Power, Pamela Robertson, Karen Elliot, Carol Campbell, and Geoff Whitty, National Evaluation of the New Community Schools Pilot Programme in Scotland: Phase 1: Interim Findings, Interchange 76, Scottish Executive (0131 244 0634)
Links: Report (pdf) | Report | Press release
Date: 2002-Aug
Researchers found that the education maintenance allowance increases participation in post-16 education, particularly among young people from low-income families; but any conclusion about the effect on achievement must await the results of further research.
Source: Karl Ashworth et al., Education Maintenance Allowance: The First Two Years: A Quantitative Evaluation, Research Report 352, Department for Education and Skills (0845 602 2260)
Links: Report (pdf) | Brief (pdf)
See also: Journal of Social Policy Volume 31/4, Digest 124, paragraph 3.7
Date: 2002-Jul
Researchers found that children from minority ethnic backgrounds share in whatever educational advantages are available in mainly white schools to the same degree as children from a white background at secondary, but not primary, level.
Source: Tony Cline, Guida de Abreu, Cornelius Fihosy, Hilary Gray, Hannah Lambert and Jo Neale, Minority Ethnic Pupils in Mainly White Schools, Research Report 365, Department for Education and Skills (0845 602 2260)
Links: Report (pdf) | Brief (pdf)
See also: Journal of Social Policy Volume 31/2, Digest 122, paragraph 8.6
Date: 2002-Jul
