Lincoln Education Action Research Network (LEARN)

This will be the focus for our seminar on January 13th.

Every attempt to ‘close an achievement gap’ is rooted in a range of theories which frame what the statistical difference between measurable educational outcomes is and means, why it appears to exist, what if anything can be done to change it, who can have the power to make such change, and what the alternatives are. Each action is also rooted in theories about what the relationship is between, e.g., test scores, classroom activities, educational relationships, individuals’ biographies and positions, collective action, schools, communities and society and social change.

Work to address systematic inequalities between students in receipt of Pupil Premium funding and their non-identified peers in England today is situated squarely within this debate. How can we make sense of this problem in a critical and informed way? What is ‘the problem’, and who defines it? How do we develop knowledge about whether these gaps exist, and why, and about how we can and should respond to them?

See here for a full list of readings and further details. Most of the readings were distributed; however, please get in touch with Sarah if you have difficulty accessing any.