482-101 Education Policy, Schools & Society

460-102 School Experience & Practice Teaching 1T and learning area studies

The subject begins from the position of the beginning teacher and their capacity to be a 'change agent' within the schooling system. From this point students are then encouraged to see how they can have a role in the development of policy at the local level: the school. There is then a shift to a more traditional sociological approach through the consideration of structural factors on issues such as access and opportunity to education. Some current issues for education policy, schools and society and some responses to current education policy issues are also considered. The organisation and selection of material is intended to provide a range of perspectives from which students can develop a critical analysis of current education policy and management issues and their impact on the current and emerging role of teachers.

Students will be required to complete two assignments (total of 4000 words). The first, an essay exploring the role of education; the second, an evaluation of a school based policy.

A book of readings will be made available to students at cost. Alternative sources will be cited.