This is the most comprehensive review of evidence on the link between attitudes, aspirations and behaviours on the one hand, and educational outcomes on the other. Based on a synthesis of over 166,000 research reports, the results are surprising. There is no evidence of a causal link from the attitudes or aspirations of young people and their parents to educational outcomes for young people. Policies based on enhancing motivation, self-efficacy and self-esteem may be ineffective or worse in raising attainment or widening participation. Instead the international evidence suggests that parental...

This book is an important re-consideration of the supply of school teachers in the UK. It starts with popular representations of shortages of teachers, and government policies intended to improve the supply, quality and retention of teachers. The book then presents a re-analysis of the trends for teachers, a survey of the career intentions of nearly 2,000 students, and a range of interviews with trainee teachers. An explicit comparison between students intending to be teachers and those intending to pursue other careers shows that the common idea of a crisis in teacher supply is wrong....