Examines whether educational reforms are attributable to 'new right' ideologies or to broader notions of 'new managerialism', looking critically at concepts of active citizenship, what constitutes lay administration of schools, and the knowledge resources drawn upon by lay school governors.

The book will be relevant to anyone concerned with critical public policy, the governance and management of schools and/or educational reform, including school governors, teachers and headteachers, policy makers and politicians. All three authors are experienced school governors.

School governance in the context of education reform Public policy, the new right and 'new managerialism' Active citizenship and school government Lay administration and knowledge in the governance of schools Governing schools some organizational challenges Educational governance, decision making and cultures of autonomy Governors, power and political processes School governors citizens or state volunteers?