Various public policy strategies have been pursued to develop schooling in conjunction with families. This book evaluates claims about how to improve educational provision. It reviews the effects that changing family structures, such as the growth of lone-parent families and maternal employment, have on educational opportunities and performance.

It concludes with a consideration of the future of education reforms in the light of changing family structures and asks whether social and sexual inequalities are likely to be exacerbated by current trends.

Acknowledgements. 1. Introduction: Parents, Education Reforms and Social Research. 2. The Family Policy Context: The War over the Family and Family Life Changes: 1944-1992. 3. The Education Policy Context: The Idea of a 'Meritocracy' from 1944-1976. 4. The Education Policy Context: The Idea of a 'Parentocracy' from 1976-1992. 5. Parents and Education: The Social Democractic Reformer-Researcher Partnersip over Equal Opportunities. 6. A Parental 'Voice' in Education as Community, or Consumer, Involvement? 7. Parental or Family Choice of School, or of Education. 8. Parental Involvement for School Effectiveness or Home Improvement? 9. Mothers in Education, or Mum's the Word? 10. Debating the Effects of Family Changes and Circumstances on Children's Education. 11. Conclusions: Family Changes, Social Research and Education Reforms. Bibliography. Index.
Index of Authors.