Education Policy in Australia

Subject EDUC90146 (2010)

Note: This is an archived Handbook entry from 2010.

Credit Points: 25
Level: 9 (Graduate/Postgraduate)
Dates & Locations:

This subject has the following teaching availabilities in 2010:

March, Parkville - Taught on campus.
Pre-teaching Period Start not applicable
Teaching Period not applicable
Assessment Period End not applicable
Last date to Self-Enrol not applicable
Census Date not applicable
Last date to Withdraw without fail not applicable


Timetable can be viewed here. For information about these dates, click here.
Time Commitment: Contact Hours: 36 hours
Total Time Commitment: Not available
Prerequisites: None
Corequisites: None
Recommended Background Knowledge: None
Non Allowed Subjects: None
Core Participation Requirements: Attendance at all classes (tutorial/seminars/practical classes/lectures/labs) is obligatory. Failure to attend 80% of classes will normally result in failure in the subject.

Coordinator

Mrs Nicky Dulfer, Prof John Polesel

Contact

Education Student Centre
Subject Overview: This subject examines the national context and range of approaches to post-compulsory education and training in Australia. Topics that provide background include trends in school completion and factors underlying retention, regional socio-economic differences in school completion, early leaving and its causes, participation in vocational education and training (VET), and transition to employment and higher education. Besides setting the context, the course focuses on social and economic influences on participation and on policy responses in selected State and Territories. The subject assesses the strengths and weaknesses of policies from both strategic and theoretical perspectives.
Objectives: Not available
Assessment: A 5,000 word paper and a 3,000 word paper to be written up from a seminar presentation.
Prescribed Texts: None
Recommended Texts: Teese, R. Academic Success and Social Power, Melbourne University Press, 2000; Teese, R., Polesel, J., Undemocratic Schooling, Melbourne University Press, 2003
Breadth Options:

This subject is not available as a breadth subject.
Fees Information: Subject EFTSL, Level, Discipline & Census Date
Generic Skills: On completion of this subject, students will be able to:
  • Critically analyse key contemporary issues in education policy in Australia in the light of international experience and learnings;
  • Undertake a review of the relevant research and policy literature relating to post-compulsory education and training;
  • Critically analyse factors underlying retention, regional socio-economic differences in school completion, early leaving and its causes, participation in vocational education and training (VET), and transition to employment and higher education.

Generic Skills:

On completion of this subject, students should be able to:

  • Apply research data to an analysis of social and economic influences on policy;
  • Critically analyse, understand and report on policy issues;
  • Apply international research findings to the Australian policy context;
  • Relate research findings to their own experience as practitioners.
Links to further information: www.edfac.unimelb.edu.au
Related Course(s): Master of Education (Educational Management)
Master of Education (Educational Management)
Master of Education (Educational Management)
Master of Education Policy (International)

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