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Title:
Participation of Volunteer Citizens in the Governance of Education, 2000-2003

Subject Categories:
General - Education
Primary, pre-primary and secondary - Education
Political behaviour and attitudes - Politics
Charities, voluntary organisations and voluntary work - Social welfare policy and systems

Depositor(s):
Ranson, S., University of Birmingham. School of Education

Principal Investigator(s):
Ranson, S., University of Birmingham. School of Education
Arnott, M., Glasgow Caledonian University. School of Law and Social Sciences
Martin, J., University of London. Institute of Education
McKeown, P., Queen's University of Belfast. Institute of Child Care Research
Smith, P., University of Birmingham. School of Education

Sponsor(s):
Economic and Social Research Council

Grant Number:
L215252043

Abstract:
This mixed methods study of the participation of school governors/school board members as 'volunteer citizens' examined the influence of volunteers within a reformed system of governance across the United Kingdom, designed to enhance public accountability. In particular, it examined their contribution to school effectiveness and the raising of standards, as well as their influence over local national policy-making. Hypothesising that shared understandings and agreements between all the 'stakeholders' in education are the way to enhance public accountability and raise standards, the research studied ways in which volunteers engage in 'dialogic democracy'; how the institutions of the governance of education facilitate or constrain the 'voice' of volunteers; and how volunteers use their social capital in different regional contexts, at a time of conditional change, to make an effective contribution.

The research was comparative across the UK, and studied the contribution of governors/school board members to education policy, practice and performance at school level, local level, and national level. Qualitative (interviews and observations of meetings) data were collated and analysed to develop an understanding of theory and practice in this area.

A questionnaire survey was administered to all school governors/board members in the five local authorities which formed the focus of study.

A programme of interviews was conducted with national-level officials responsible for school governance, local education authority-level officers and members, school-level interviews with chairs, governors, heads and teachers.

Finally, observation notes and minutes were taken of school governing body meetings.

Main Topics:
Topics covered in the interviews included: why became governor/school board member, or details of school headteacher role; voluntary work; whether parent or co-opted governor; length of service; structure and focus of school governing board; communication; relationship between board and school; role of chairperson and perceived future developments.

Topics covered in the survey included: volunteering; participation; governance; school governance and democracy; and demographic questions.

Coverage:
Dates of Fieldwork: 01 May 2000-30 September 2003
Country: United Kingdom
Spatial Units: Council Areas (Scotland);Local Education Authorities (LEAs) (England and Wales);Education and Library Boards (Northern Ireland)
Kind of Data: Textual data; Numeric data; Individual (micro) level; Textual data include: semi-structured interview transcripts; focus group transcripts; minutes of meetings; observation field notes.

Universe Sampled:
Location of Units of Observation:National
Population:School governors/board members in five local authorities across the UK; national-level officials responsible for school governance; local education authority-level officers and members; chairs, governors, heads and teachers in five local authorities across the UK; and participants in school governing body meetings in five local authorities across the UK.

Methodology:
Time Dimensions: Cross-sectional (one-time) study
Sampling Procedures: Purposive selection/case studies
A census approach was used for the survey of local authority governors.
Method of Data Collection: Face-to-face interview; Postal survey; Observation; Focus group
Weighting: No weighting used.

Language(s) of Written Materials:
Study Description: English
Study Documentation: English

Access:
Access Conditions: The depositor has specified that registration is required and standard conditions of use apply. The depositor may be informed about usage. See terms and conditions for further information.
Availability: ESDS Qualidata, UK Data Archive
Contact: Help desk: qualidata@esds.ac.uk

Date of Release:
First Edition: 15 October 2007

Copyright:
Copyright S. Ranson

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