英国概况

Facts & Figures (2)
In 1992/93, 460 thousand women were enrolled on full-time further education courses in U.K., compared with 182 thousand in 1970/71. In 1992-93, 12% of the population between 25 & 69 had a degree. Total government expenditure on education increased by just over half in real terms between 1970-71 and 1992-93. Expenditure per pupil on education in secondary schools rose by two fifths in real terms between 1981/82 and 1991/92.
Important Issues
The development of British education system: from the 19th century limited and voluntary schooling to the present expanded and compulsory education system. The basic structure of British education system, particularly the 3 stages of education in modern Britain. The higher education system and institutions of further education.
Focus Questions (1)
what are the most outstanding changes in the English educational system since the 19th century? What does the “streaming” system mean to you? Do you think it is reasonable? Why? what is the basic structure of British education system? What are the three stages of education in modern Britain?
From Tripartite System...
It was not until the Education Act in 1944 that all children were given the right to free secondary (middle school) education. Local education authorities were then required to provide schools funded by the state. A “tripartite” system of secondary modern, technical and grammar schools selected 11 yearold children at the end of their primary education by means of an exam. The top 20% attended grammar schools. Secondary moderns & technical schools dealt with more practical subjects. Pupils from them were expected to become manual workers & skilled workers respectively, whilst those who attended grammar schools were more likely to go on to university and become professionals and managers.
Under the new system, there is no examination at the age of eleven, & the grammar schools & secondary modern schools have been replaced by large comprehensive schools. Some comprehensives are “streamed”; others are “unstreamed”. In a streamed school, pupils are placed into classes according to their ability. Children of high ability are in the “A” stream, those of lesser ability in the “B” stream & so on. In an unstreamed school, children of mixed ability are placed together in the classes.
To Comprehensive System...
In the 1950s some people were dissatisfied with the tripartite system because it did not seem to ensure either equal educational opportunities or a meritocracy. Comprehensive schools were introduced in the 1960s with the idea that pupils should not be selected & streamed at such an early age. In 1993 90% of pupils attend such schools; the other 10% attend some remaining grammar or private schools. Since the introduction of comprehensive schools some have argued that streaming still causes children to be ‘labeled’ at an early age as either academic or non-academic, while others argue that it holds back brighter pupils since more attention will be given to those with less academic talents.
LecturHale Waihona Puke Baidu 5
Education in Britain
Abstract
If the family is central to people’s life, surely their next most significant experience is their education. In this lecture, we will begin with a brief survey of the development of free universal education since the last century, and then take a closer look at the main institutions in which British people are formally educated.
Change and Reform
Before 1870 education was voluntary & many of the existing schools had been set up by churches. Only 2% of children under 14 & 40% of those aged 10 went to school regularly. From 1870, in response to changes brought about by the industrial revolution & movements for social & political reform, the government started to take responsibility for education.
Britain State Schools
The system of secondary education in Britain has been changed in recent years. Under the old system, children took an examination called the “eleven plus” at the age of 11. If they passed this examination, they went to a grammar school (high school) & if they failed, they went to a secondary modern school.
Facts & Figures (1)
Compulsory schooling: Every child in Britain must by
law receive full-time education from 5 to 15. In 1972, the school leaving age was raised from 15 to 16, so now all children have a minimum of 11 years compulsory fulltime education. An increasing proportion of under 5s are attending school---over half in 1992/93, compared with only a fifth in 1970/71. Overall, girls outperform boys. In 1991/92 a third of girls left school with one or more ‘A’ levels compared with a quarter of males. There were 1.3 million students in higher education in U.K.in 1991/92.---more than double the number in 1070/71.
Streaming
Focus Questions (2)
What are some of the recent changes that have taken place in higher education in Britain? Apart from universities, name some other higher and further institutions in Britain. Make a list of aims and functions of further education and training.