This paper examines the role that social characteristics play in determining the academic success of students who begin university with roughly similar entry grades. The data used were drawn from the administrative records of over 38,000 UK-domiciled undergraduate students from one British university between 1998 and 2009. Results show that the…

The provisions of the Higher Education Act (2004) have renewed interest in widening participation research. Therefore, this paper explores the development of this scholarly field, primarily in the United Kingdom, by examining major trends in the study of higher education. Political debates related to higher education, the prevailing structure of…

Argues that curriculum changes which include content and pedagogical change contain within themselves new forms of social control. Reduction of teacher skill is also an outcome. The argument is based on research in a school employing such a curriculum. (Author/KC)

Summarizes a longitudinal study that identifies a variety of mechanisms within the French school system that continue to generate social inequalities. These mechanisms include school status, parental choice, and economic status. Briefly reviews social inequality and French educational policy. (MJP)