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Cover The Making of a Left-Behind Class

The Making of a Left-Behind Class

Educational Stratification, Meritocracy and Widening Participation

Restricted access
Authors:
Fred Powell
,
Margaret Scanlon
,
Patrick Leahy
,
Hilary Jenkinson
, and
Olive Byrne

Despite the high aspirations of young people from disadvantaged communities, they face barriers that are frustrating the realisation of their educational ambitions. This book analyses the ‘left-behind’ phenomenon and explains how denied educational equality undermines social cohesion and what we can do about it.

Publisher:
Policy Press
Publication Date:
04 Mar 2024
Online ISBN:
9781447367970
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.51952/9781447367970
Restricted access
  • Table of Contents
  • Description
  • Author/Editor Details
  • Book Information
Front Matter
Front Matter
Preface
1: Introduction: Aristotle’s curse
2: The cultural politics of educational stratification
3: Public education, universities and widening participation
4: The psycho-politics of meritocracy: IQ + effort = merit?
5: Snakes and ladders: aspirations and barriers
6: Social class and parental attitudes to education and career choices
7: Structural racism and Traveller education
8: Conclusion: Global lessons
Back Matter
References
Index

Despite the high aspirations of young people from disadvantaged communities, they face barriers that are frustrating the realisation of their educational ambitions.

This book analyses the ‘left-behind’ phenomenon and shows how education has become the new divide in Western society. It explains how denied educational equality and frustrated opportunity are undermining social cohesion and what we can do about it. It challenges meritocratic thinking and the efficacy of widening participation as a policy for social inclusion.

Combining analysis of educational disadvantage at an international level and among Travelling communities with empirical data derived from fieldwork with parents, teachers and students in the European Union (Ireland), this book offers fresh thinking and new hope in relation to young people left behind in the opportunity structure.

Fred Powell served as Professor of Social Policy and founding Head of the School of Applied Social Studies at University College Cork for 25 years, Dean of Social Science and latterly Student Ombudsman.

Margaret Scanlon is Research Coordinator for the Institute of Social Science in the 21st Century at University College Cork.

Patrick Leahy is Lecturer in the School of Applied Social Studies and Director of Postgraduate Youth Studies at University College Cork.

Hilary Jenkinson is Lecturer in the School of Applied Social Studies at University College Cork.

Olive Byrne is Head of Access at University College Cork.

Author/Editor details at time of book publication.

Copyright:
© Bristol University Press 2024
Hardback ISBN:
9781447367949
ePub ISBN:
9781447367963
Online ISBN:
9781447367970
Page Extent:
214
Keywords:
Left-behind class; educational stratification; meritocracy; widening participation
Global Social Challenges:
Education and Learning, Equity, Diversity and Inclusion, Poverty, Inequality and Social Justice
Sustainable Development Goals:
Goal 4: Quality Education, Goal 10: Reduced Inequalities
Subject:
Ageing and Gerontology, Participation and Inclusion, Education, Education and Social Justice, Education Policy and Politics, Social and Public Policy, Poverty and Inequality, Social Policy
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