`This fills you in methodically on the background of teaching, including education research on issues such as psychological theory and social aspects' - Ruler

`The authors have provided an important resource for student study in education. Importantly, it reinforces the necessity of a multi-disciplinary approach to the understanding of contested educational process and practices in a contemporary context' - Dave Trotman, Escalate

'It's a paradox of the times that if you take a first degree in education you are unlikely to have much contact with education theory. Today's teacher training is too practical for that. But if your degree is in sports science, drama, philosophy or psychology and the like, it is more than probable that you'll be studying an education module. No bad thing, either: most people go through schooling without questioning what is happening to them.

It's for this second group that An Introduction to Education Studies, edited by Steve Bartlett, Diana Burton and Nick Peim (Paul Chapman Publishing GBP16.99) is written. And very good it is, too. It explains clearly and crisply why education is important and why it will always be contested, what we mean (for example) by knowledge and attainment, and how social issues and perspectives affect educational policies and outcomes. It explains, with a refreshing absence of jargon, why theory still matters. It could be useful for students of education, too - and as a handy work of reference for hard-pressed teachers.

One of its topics is mixed-ability teaching. Current orthodoxy holds that selection and/or ability setting is necessary to maximise pupils' attainment. Orthodoxy, though, is not always firmly founded, and the authors of Ability Grouping in Education (Judith Ireson and Susan Hallam, Paul Chapman Publishing GBP16.99) cite extensive evidence from school and classroom practice to argue that rigid banding or setting may disadvantage weaker pupils' - Michael Duffy, Times Educational Supplement

`Recommended reading for all' - R P Singh, Journal of Educational Planning and Administration

This book is for the undergraduate student of education studies as well as for practitioners embarking on a higher degree.

It provides a grounding for students new to the subject unlike many texts which assume an already high level of knowledge of the area. With extensive experience of teaching and course development at both under-graduate and post-graduate level, the authors use a multidisciplinary approach to the study of education. Drawing on their knowledge of the discipline they synthesize themes in a way which positions education as a study in its own right.

Aspects covered include:

- the nature and purposes of education,

- research in education,

- ideologies and the curriculum,

- social and psychological explanations for pupil/student achievement and

- an analysis of policy developments in compulsory education.

This book will be essential reading for students on educational studies courses.