Schools and Social Capital
Network of the Applied Educational Research Scheme (AERS)
Background:
The Schools and Social Capital Network has a planned programme of research projects phased over 5 years. Opportunities still exist for people to participate in case studies as they commence. It is possible that additional studies can be commenced if additional funds are located. The current plan is available on the SSC Network page where details including starting dates for specific case studies can be located. See www.aers.ac.uk.
Collaborative research activities are focused around three overlapping research projects, containing a series of activities:
PROJECT 1. Indicators of Social Capital for Schools 2004/5
The first project has identified issues in defining and measuring social capital at the national level, and at the level of an individual school. Reviews of existing policy, theory and research on social capital have been published on the AERS website.
PROJECT 2. Enabling School Staff to use Social Capital 2005/6
How social capital is used and how it is enhanced by teachers and other professionals may include or exclude people from disadvantaged backgrounds. Current practices and research findings have been documented and a pilot case study has explored the ways social capital is expressed and identified in schools and in families. These findings are being applied in the case studies in Project 3.
PROJECT 3. Building Social Capital Among Learners 2006/8
The frameworks developed in Projects 1 and 2 are being used to explore the extent to which school communities can engage learners in the production and use of social capital and the effects on their educational achievement and other outcomes of schooling. During 2006 and 2007 case studies have, and will be, commenced and specific applied research projects undertaken to address local community issues. Comparative analysis across case studies will be used to inform national policy.