Examining the Crisis of Further Education: An Analysis of 'Failing' Colleges and Failing Policies

Since its incorporation in April 1993, Further Education (FE) in England and Wales has undergone a profound transformation in respect of the introduction of a 'quasi-market' economy. One consequence of the resulting changes in the cultural, organizational, and administrative constitution of FE colleges has been the very public 'failure' of numerous institutions and their managements. Drawing on documentation and interviews across the sector, this article analyses these 'failing' colleges. In so doing, the article pays particular attention to the educational policies and associated ideologies which have underpinned the new 'enterprise culture' of post-16 education, and which, we argue, are significantly responsible for the current state of FE. In tracing the patterns of college 'failure' and causal connections with educational policies and other factors, we conclude by considering the implications of our findings for current and planned FE policies and college administrations.