EQUALITY OF EDUCATIONAL-OPPORTUNITY IN INITIAL TEACHER-EDUCATION

The issues that are now informing policy making in initial teacher edu cation no longer seem to give the prominence to equality of opportunit y that was formerly the case. In light of this development a small sca le research project was undertaken, gathering data from course provide rs (in a University Department of Educational Studies and partner scho ols) and students. The perceived meaning of the term 'equality of educ ational opportunity' was investigated, together with the policies and practices in initial teacher education which were suggested as being l ikely to lead to positive achievements. No simple ways forward are sug gested, but a number of potential action points are explored throughou t the article.