Overcoming the Barriers to Higher Education

by: Stephen Gorard with Nick Adnett, Helen May, Kim Slack, Emma Smith & Liz Thomas

ISBN: 9781858564142

Price: £20.99

Quantity:

164 pages
244 x 156mm
ISBN-13: 978 1 85856 414 2
September 2007

HEFCE should take the Gorard report seriously. It confirms the fact that we know some very simple things securely, especially about the sources of educational inequality in other forms of inequality. - Sir David Watson, Professor of higher Education Management, Institute of Education, University of London

There are serious inequalities in participation in post-compulsory education and training related to socio-economic status, gender, ethnicity and other characteristics. Such inequalities are reproduced and exacerbated in higher education. This book is based on a review of research evidence that explores whether these social and familial patterns can be interrupted via educational and other interventions.

The answer lies in taking a radically new lifelong approach, considering changes over time and examining earlier life factors that influence participation - such as family, peer-group and initial education. All these factors help to build the learning trajectory of individuals that leads them to consider HE as a possibility. The impressive results of this review of evidence make this book essential reading for practitioners and policy-makers concerned with widening participation, and for academics.

Stephen Gorard is Professor of Education Research, School of Education, University of Birmingham and the author of numerous books concerning education and social justice.

Reviews

The book presents a useful and impressive range of data sets which are helpful to the reader. There is also a comprehensive glossary and bibliography for those interested in the field further. The book is essential reading for all policy-makers and academics interested in researching and addressing educational inequality. Being very thought-provoking of the issues and research why some individuals, or indeed groups of individuals, do not pursue or aspire to higher education routes, the text also makes excellent reading for students interested in grasping the educational and psycho-social background to the field. - Escalate Full review on Escalate website here

an impressively researched and engaged review of research and practice. There is an excellent and comprehensive bibliography, a useful glossary and many useful tables of data sets. Studies in the Education of Adults

essential reading for all policy-makers, planners and academics interested in researching educational inequality in the developed and developing world. - British Journal of Educational Technology

welcome and timely criticism for much that is passed off as research in this area. ...a useful text for anyone with an interest in exploring the issues surrounding widening participation in Higher Education. - Educational Research and Evaluation

Universities would need to scrap entry requirements to make any real headway in admitting students from a broader range of backgrounds, according to a highly controversial report commissioned by funding chiefs. - Times Higher Educational Supplement

An excellent, useful read to anyone interested in the issue of widening participation in higher education and is thoroughly recommended. - International Journal of Lifelong Education

...a thought-provoking overview of the research and issues relating to the reasons why more people don't pursue higher education routes and represents an excellent introductory text for any student needing to grasp the multifaceted and inter-related nature of a field of research. - Higher Education Review

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