This is the first collection of key articles on the psychology behind educational attainment. It brings together in one volume for students a set of accessible but influential papers, representing the best classic and cutting edge work in the field.

Charles Desforges is Professor of Education at the University of Exeter. His previous books include An Introduction to Teaching (Blackwell, 1995). He has also been the Director of the ESRC Teaching and Learning Programme for the past three years, the largest education research programme ever funded in the UK.

Richard Fox has recently retired after ten years as a lecturer and Senior Lecturer in Primary Education at The School of Education, University of Exeter