Living on the Edge

«?Living on the Edge' tackles tough issues about class, poverty and justice that are of central importance for teachers, parents, policy-makers – and young people. The book combines clear writing, good scholarship, and firm commitment. Clearing a path through the forest of misleading ideas about educational disadvantage, Smyth and Wrigley show the educational damage done by current market-driven policies and testing systems. Bringing together the experience of creative teachers and schools that work well in tough circumstances, they show how schools can make positive and immediate gains for fairness and good education.» (Raewyn Connell, University Chair, Faculty of Education and Social Work, University of Sydney)

«This book addresses what is now the central but unaddressed issue in education policy in developed societies – the abhorrent, debilitating and humiliating relationship between poverty and schooling. Smyth and Wrigley rigorously and painfully lay out this relationship and all its aspects and shame us all – policymakers most of all! This is a book that cannot, must not be ignored.» (Stephen Ball, Karl Mannheim Professor of Sociology of Education, Institute of Education, University of London)
«?Living on the Edge' tackles tough issues about class, poverty and justice that are of central importance for teachers, parents, policy-makers – and young people. The book combines clear writing, good scholarship, and firm commitment. Clearing a path through the forest of misleading ideas about educational disadvantage, Smyth and Wrigley show the educational damage done by current market-driven policies and testing systems. Bringing together the experience of creative teachers and schools that work well in tough circumstances, they show how schools can make positive and immediate gains for fairness and good education.» (Raewyn Connell, University Chair, Faculty of Education and Social Work, University of Sydney)

«This book addresses what is now the central but unaddressed issue in education policy in developed societies – the abhorrent, debilitating and humiliating relationship between poverty and schooling. Smyth and Wrigley rigorously and painfully lay out this relationship and all its aspects and shame us all – policymakers most of all! This is a book that cannot, must not be ignored.» (Stephen Ball, Karl Mannheim Professor of Sociology of Education, Institute of Education, University of London)