THROUGH THE REVOLUTION AND OUT THE OTHER SIDE

This offers an overview of the revolutionary changes in education in E ngland and Wales in the decade following the Education Reform Act of 1 987. After art introductory section on the background to the new dispe nsation, the perception of failure which galvanised the politicians, a nd the attach on the 'education establishment' which under-pinned it, the article looks at the elements which came together to form a compre hensive re-working of the education system and its power structure. Ma jor changes in higher education and in teacher training began well bef ore the Education Reform Act appeared on the scene and continued throu ghout the period under discussion, informed by the same mixture of ide ology-the release of market forces-and managerialism. This account goe s on to discuss the changes as they affected the school curriculum and regular testing, the role of local authorities and school governors i n the management of the education system, the re-invention of inspecti on and the publication of information for parents on performance. It c oncludes that the revolution which took place under the Thatcher and M ajor governments is more likely to be consolidated than overturned by their Labour successors who, having changed some of the rhetoric while keeping the impetus for reform, have begun to mobilise the maligned e ducation establishment behind the new order.