Institutional Context of Education Systems in Europe: A Cross-Country Comparison on Quality and Equity

Front Cover
R.H. Hofman, W.H.A. Hofman, J.M. Gray, P. Daly
Springer Science & Business Media, Aug 27, 2004 - Education - 199 pages

Based on empirical analysis using configuration theory and multi-dimensional scaling, this book provides insight into types of relationships that can be found between groups of countries with certain institutional context features, and into the quality and equity of their education system.

In this volume, the authors take up the challenge of considering what a European ‘settlement’ might look like. In doing so, they take into account worldwide trends and the increasing evidence of convergence across educational systems. The outcomes of comparative analyses seem to suggest that strong education systems in terms of finance, governance and choice could be preferable. To a greater or lesser extent, therefore, all the systems of education currently in use in Europe face some common challenges. The way in which these challenges are addressed will determine the future of these systems. Key elements in the current debate that are considered in greater detail in this volume include changing views on (a) centre-local relations with signs of an increasing commitment to decentralisation as a guiding principle for developing school governance; (b) school autonomy which is now increasingly regarded as the engine-room for school improvement, especially in relation to sustaining it; and (c) the celebration of community and school choice as a means of securing higher levels of parental involvement.

This volume will be of interest to researchers and practitioners working in education, educational research and sociology of education. It will also be of relevance to those interested in the comparison of various education systems and in governance, funding of education and school choice.

 

Selected pages

Contents

Institutional contexts and effectiveness of schooling
1
12 A conceptual presentation of assumed relationships
5
13 Institutional contexts of education systems
6
131 Publicprivate sector effects
7
132 Type of funding of public and private education
9
133 Governance of public and private education
10
134 Choice and community in public and private education
12
14 The withincountry publicprivate sector model
14
3142 Characteristics of Austrian compulsory education
112
key characteristics
113
Quality and equity of european education
117
43 Fair comparisons of public and private schools performance
119
44 Choice of quality assessment criteria
120
45 International comparison
122
46 Overview of TIMSS mathematics assessment
123
47 Methodology
124

15 Objectives and design of the international project
16
Selection and definition of indicators
17
222 Indicators of types of governance
19
223 Indicators of freedom of school choice
22
Country reports education systems in Europe
25
32 Spain
27
key characteristics
29
33 Scotland
35
332 Characteristics of Scottish compulsory education
36
key characteristics
37
34 Sweden
41
342 Characteristics of Swedish compulsory education
42
key characteristics
43
35 Portugal
47
key characteristics
49
36 The Netherlands
56
key characteristics
57
37 Ireland
63
key characteristics
64
38 Germany
69
382 Characteristics of German compulsory education
70
key characteristics
71
39 France
75
392 Characteristics of French compulsory education
76
key characteristics
77
310 England
81
key characteristics
83
311 Denmark
90
key characteristics
91
312 Belgium French
96
3122 Characteristics of Belgium French compulsory education
97
key characteristics
99
313 Belgium Flemish
104
3132 Characteristics of Belgium Flemish compulsory education
105
key characteristics
107
314 Austria
111
48 Comparison of quality and equity across European countries
126
49 The outcomes within a broader perspective
131
410 Interpretation of configurations of institutional contexts
133
411 Educational expenditure
135
Configurations of institutional contexts
139
52 Configuration theory and multidimensional scaling
140
54 Interpretation of configurations
145
55 Four configurations of institutional contexts
148
56 Public and private schools
151
Reflections and explanations
157
622 Selectivity of the countrys education system
158
623 Equity in education
159
624 The specific distribution of public and private schools
160
631 Types and features of school governance
161
633 Influence of local educational authorities
162
642 Parental school choice and admission policies
163
643 Parental choice and financial and social resources
164
645 New types of schools
165
Summary and implications for worldwide education
169
72 Key dimensions of context
170
73 Types of funding
171
731 Arrangements for governance
172
74 Country configurations
173
75 Do the differences affect academic performance
174
751 Comparing the outcomes with PISA
179
752 Educational expenditure and quality of education systems
180
753 The quest for higher performance
181
754 The power of markets and the freedom to choose
182
755 Church class and identity
184
76 Implications for public and private education
185
761 Strong systems
186
762 Emerging trends
187
References
191
Appendix I
Appendix II
Copyright

Other editions - View all

Common terms and phrases

Bibliographic information