Surfacing Theories of Change in Comprehensive Area-Based Approaches to Educational Disadvantage

• In Event: 33.079 - Roundtable Session 12
  In Roundtable Session: 33.079-5 - The Influence of Social and Organizational Context on the Work of School Leaders: International Perspectives

Abstract

In recent years, there has been considerable interest on both sides of the Atlantic on the potential of comprehensive area-based approaches for tackling the complex causes and impacts of educational disadvantage. This paper reports the first phase of an evaluation of such an approach – four ‘Children’s Communities’ located in major UK cities. It focuses on the Communities’ theories of change which trace poor outcomes for children and young people to underlying social change in their areas, and suggest a wide-ranging set of interventions to change this situation. The theories are plausible and coherent, though the capacity of Children’s Communities to bring about change remains to be proven.

Authors

• Alan Dyson, University of Manchester

• Kirstin Kerr, University of Manchester