Schools, Markets and Choice Policies by Professor Stephen Gorard, Dr Chris Taylor and Professor John Fitz, of the School of Social Sciences, has been launched at the University.
The book is a summary of the findings from a two-year study, funded by the Economic and Social Research Council, of the impact of parental preferences on the mix and quality of secondary schools in England and Wales.
The findings have already been heavily used by think-tanks such as the Institute for Public Policy Research and the Brookings Institution, debated in the House of Commons, and presented to the EU Commissioners for Education. Two of the authors have been oral witnesses to the current House of Commons Select Committee for Education and Skills.
Professor Gorard said: "Our research was the most comprehensive ever conducted into choice in secondary education, and the book develops practical recommendations for policies on social justice and school improvement, based on analysis of the figures for all schools in England and Wales over 13 years."
Schools, Markets and Choice Policies is published by Routledge Falmer.
ISBN 0415304237 (paperback), ISBN 0415304229 (hardback).