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Theories of Change in Schooling: Truth, Power, Evidence

Key information

  • Module code:

    7SSEM037

  • Level:

    7

  • Semester:

      Autumn

  • Credit value:

    30

Module description

School effectiveness and improvement research has become very popular in recent years but has also become increasingly criticised for being a socially and politically decontextualised body of literature which provides support for inequitable educational reforms. This module is intended to provide a critical appraisal of this literature by looking at its methodological and theoretical problems, whether school effectiveness and school improvement claims are justified and the relationship between this literature and recent education policy in the UK and elsewhere. While this is emphatically not a module on 'fixing' underperforming schools, the school effectiveness and improvement literature provides a fascinating example of the way educational research is never neutral but is coloured by the political, ideological and methodological concerns of its time.

Assessment details

1 x Group poster (worth 25% of the module)

1 x 4,000 word assignment (worth 75% of the module) 

Educational aims & objectives

  • To enable participants to develop their understanding of the concepts of School Effectiveness and School Improvement within a broad social, political, economic and philosophical framework.
  • To broaden participants' knowledge and understanding of research into school (and departmental) effectiveness particularly the most frequently referenced models and the latest research findings.

Subject areas

Department

Module description disclaimer

King’s College London reviews the modules offered on a regular basis to provide up-to-date, innovative and relevant programmes of study. Therefore, modules offered may change. We suggest you keep an eye on the course finder on our website for updates.

Please note that modules with a practical component will be capped due to educational requirements, which may mean that we cannot guarantee a place to all students who elect to study this module.

Please note that the module descriptions above are related to the current academic year and are subject to change.