Visions of Post-Compulsory Education

Significant changes have occurred in the last ten years in post-compulsory education, and a new framework has been set for the next ten. This book reviews these changes and poses questions about the future balance between change and continuity. One major section is devoted to views from different sectors of activity and provision - universities, polytechnics, other colleges, further education, adult education, vocational education, staff development, and local education authorities. Two are written specifically from a European viewpoint and international comparisons are drawn upon by several other authors. The other main section examines key cross-sectoral issues: access, quality, technology, structure, management, and internationalism. A central argument of the book is that it is essential that the recent emphasis on competition be balanced by cooperation (or partnership) not just to preserve collective automony out of defensive self-interest, nor to allow economies through rationalization, but to preserve the availability of diverse provision and contribute positively to enhanced quality and service.