Underachievement in Schools

There is greater pressure for schools to meet certain levels of pupil achievement now more than ever before. Teachers and policy-makers are looking for ways to ensure pupils are not underachieving, and to do this must have some understanding of the causes of underachievement.

This timely book examines different levels of achievement of pupil groups and the reasons behind them. The authors highlight ways in which schools and policy-makers might improve achievement through changes in policy and practice. Some of the topics considered are:

* What is underachievement?
* Social background and achievement
* School structures and achievement
* Schools raising attainment

Underachievement in Schools will be a valuable resource for anyone involved with school policy as well as teachers and those training to teach.

There is greater pressure for schools to meet certain levels of pupil achievement now more than ever before. Teachers and policy-makers are looking for ways to ensure pupils are not underachieving, and to do this must have some understanding of the causes of underachievement.

This timely book examines different levels of achievement of pupil groups and the reasons behind them. The authors highlight ways in which schools and policy-makers might improve achievement through changes in policy and practice. Some of the topics considered are:

* What is underachievement?
* Social background and achievement
* School structures and achievement
* Schools raising attainment

Underachievement in Schools will be a valuable resource for anyone involved with school policy as well as teachers and those training to teach.

Anne West is Professor of Educational Policy in the Department of Social Policy at the London School of Economics and is also Director of the Centre for Educational Research.
Hazel Pennell is a Research Fellow based in the Centre for Educational Research at the London School of Economics.