Educational researchers in six of BERA’s special interest groups have drawn up a new evidence-based manifesto detailing how research should serve as the basis for future education policies. The plan seeks to promote fair and equal education by creating an evidence-based policy manifesto that respects children and young people.

In a 20-page document, its researchers highlight four guiding principles underpinned by a number of possible actions, and recommend future Governments develop policies which promote:

• Fair and relevant curriculum and attainment that leads to meaningful opportunities, like employment and further study;
• High quality, research-informed professionals to work with children and young people;
• Education that recognises and appropriately responds to the differences that make substantive differences in children and young people’s lives; and
• Education that is developed and evaluated fairly and rigorously, and is accountable to children, young people, their families and the communities in which they live.

On March 10, 2015 BERA held“Fair and Equal Education: An Evidence-based Policy Manifesto that Respects Children and Young People,” an event that discussed issues raised by the year-long project and final manifesto. The event also invited responses from leading speakers, a panel discussion and questions from the audience.

‘Not Just Numbers’ by Roderick Scott

Connected to BERA’s 40th Anniversary, this project is focused upon developing policy recommendations on issues related to the lived experience and futures of children and young people. Six of BERA’s Special Interest Groups have been working alongside one another to produce an alternative policy manifesto that is informed by research on equality in education from the last 40 years. Jointly organised by the BERA Social Justice, Race, Ethnicity and Education, Sexualities, Youth Studies and Informal Education, Practitioner Research, Inclusive Education SIGs, we aim to use the best educational research done within our SIGs to inform public debate prior to the Westminster election in May 2015, celebrating the work of our members and demonstrating how it can be used to provide an evidence base for policy that has issues of equality and social justice at its heart.

Please visit their blog: http://berarespectingchildren.wordpress.com