For courses in sociology (sociology of education, applied social studies, research methods, family studies); education (educational studies, educational management and teacher training - including b.Ed. And pgce); social policy (education policy, research methods) and history (contemporary history, social history, research methods, family histories). It can also be used as a supplementary text on courses in education policy/management options on politics (education policy, political sociology, research methods); psychology (knowledge, intelligence, attitudes, research methods) and public administration (education administration, education management). This unusual multidisciplinary approach combines textbook and original research to provide an accessible introduction to the sociology of education, and the evolution of education in post-war britain. The book reviews existing research findings and theories and uses family education histories to illustrate how changes in education have been personally experienced and responded to. The issues, systems, key theories and research methods are all clearly explained. In providing a fresh and stimulating source of information and new ideas changing education enables students and teachers to understand and challenge assumptions about what education has been, is, and should be like.