The SAGE Handbook of Research in International Education

Book excerpt: ''The editors of the SAGE Handbook of Research in International Education have brought together an impressive array of scholars whose cutting edge research addresses the growing field of international education, from the experiences of K-12 schools around the world to the field of teacher education. This book raises important questions and should be read by a broad audience' - Kenneth Cushner, Executive Director of International Affairs and Professor of Education, Kent State University 'The editors of this admirable handbook have set out to produce a report on international education. Their consummate success in doing so gives those of us working in the field a new and invaluable resource. The editors may be academics but this is a book largely written by, about and for those whose job it is to teach ''internationally''. No-one working in international education will fail to be provoked, challenged or inspired by the compelling arguments advanced within this authoritative volume' - Peter MacKenzie, Principal, Hiroshima International School 'The book is well organized in carefully integrated sections and chapters and the references alone are a valuable bibliographical tool. An indispensable work highly recommended for education reference collections and the libraries of individual researchers' - J.B.Thomas, Emeritus Professor of Educational Studies, Loughborough University Interest in the field of international education has never been more intense than at present. There are a rapidly increasing number of schools worldwide set up specifically to meet the demands of those parents who, through their own professional activities, wish to have their sons and daughters educated in schools that offer programmes based on international values. Such schools have embraced the promotion of international education as one of their major goals and, consequently, an increasing number of organisations currently offer curricula that claim to be international in nature. Such global movements have created a parallel increase in the incorporation of forms of international education within national school systems throughout the world. This has resulted in wider forms of collaboration between schools in the public and private sectors, nationally and internationally, generating a much more substantial base of professional experience in the implementation of schemes for international education than had previously existed. This book analyses the origins, contributions and interpretations of international education. The authors identify approaches to research that will progress our knowledge and understanding of the field, and extend and even redraw it, on the basis of the research evidence presented. Content includes: - A historical overview of the ways in which the term "international education" has been interpreted - The theoretical interpretation of international education in its current context - International education in practice: exploration of the issues in terms of students, curricula, pedagogies and organising formal institutions - Conceptual challenges for international education in the future This handbook is an essential resource for those who are involved in the practice and academic study of international education. It will be of particular interest to researchers and teachers in universities, governmental and private curriculum development agencies, examination authorities, administrators and teachers in schools. 'This volume is another valuable SAGE contribution to the expanding literature on international education. Not all handbooks are described as essential reading but this one will be, and will become an indispensable work of reference highly recommended for education libraries (both academic and governmental) and for the bookshelves of individual researchers and all involved in international education...the three editors and their fellow authors can take a collective pride in having given us an excellent volume which very successfully completes a chronological and theoretical journey through the issues, practices and future questions presented by international research and practice in international education' - Journal of Research in International Education