Education Policy: International Study

This subject has the following teaching availabilities in 2016:

In the pre-teaching period students are required to:

• Do preparatory reading on the education systems that will be visited
• Identify a topic for their 3000 word essay (this will also be the topic of their presentation which is a hurdle requirement)
• Find and read literature on their topic

340 hours

For the purposes of considering request for Reasonable Adjustments under the Disability Standards for Education (Cwth 2005), and Student Support and Engagement Policy, academic requirements for this subject are articulated in the Subject Overview, Learning Outcomes, Assessment and Generic Skills sections of this entry.

It is University policy to take all reasonable steps to minimise the impact of disability upon academic study, and reasonable adjustments will be made to enhance a student's participation in the University's programs. Students who feel their disability may impact on meeting the requirements of this subject are encouraged to discuss this matter with a Faculty Student Adviser and Student Equity and Disability Support: http://services.unimelb.edu.au/disability

This subject involves travel to three nations to enable students to enable students to explore and investigate education systems outside Australia. There are two main components involved in the international visits:

1. School/institution- involving visits to a range of schools and other educational providers, in order to experience first-hand the structures of provision in the host countries. Students will be given a tour of the school/provider and will be briefed by a senior member of staff on the mission and clientele of the school/provider and on emerging policy issues as they affect that institution. There will be opportunities to ask questions and for discussion.

2. Policy- involving a session with a university and/or policy specialist with experience and expertise in post-compulsory education and training policy. Students will be provided with a seminar (or multiple seminars) offering a critical perspective on the main challenges facing policy makers in that country.

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There is one hurdle requirement:

• Present a 20-minute seminar paper during the study tour (equivalent to 3,000 words).

There are two assessment tasks:

• 3,000 word paper based on the seminar paper, due end of semester, 60%
• A reflective journal of learning and experiences during the study tour, equivalent to 4,000 words, due end of semester, 40%

This subject has a minimum hurdle requirement of 80% attendance at all tutorials, seminars and workshops.

Teese, R. & Polesel, J. (2003) Undemocratic Schooling, Melbourne University Press, Carlton.

This subject is not available as a breadth subject.

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

• Critically analyse, understand and report on education policy issues in a range of international systems and to apply these skills to their own work in the Australian context;
• Participate effectively as a team member in the context of an international study tour;
• Relate research findings to their own experience as practitioners;
• Report on policy issues in an international forum.