Schooling the Rustbelt Kids: Making the Difference in Changing Times - Softcover

Thomson, Pat

Softcover

ISBN 10: 1865086851 ISBN 13: 9781865086859

Publisher: Allen & Unwin, 2002

Synopsis

Examining primary and secondary schools in disadvantaged areas in a post-industrial city, Schooling the Rustbelt Kids reopens the debate about inequality in schooling arguing that current outcomes-based and standardised policies for disadvantaged schools are not effective. ' . . . a truly exceptional book' - Michael W. Apple, University of Wisconsin, Madison ' . . . a gripping insight into the local struggles facing disadvantaged schools and a compelling account of the injustice of their place in the bigger picture' - Professor Geoff Whitty, Director, Institute of Education, University of London Schools in disadvantaged areas are struggling in the current economic and political environment. Like schools everywhere they are being asked to do more with less, but they face more obstacles. In recent years education policy has shifted from a holistic approach to learning to a focus on narrow educational outcomes: spelling, reading and writing. Thomson shows that this approach penalises disadvantaged schools and argues that educational and social disadvantage are inextricably linked in children's everyday lives. Examining primary and secondary schools in disadvantaged areas in a post-industrial ('rustbelt') city, Schooling the Rustbelt Kids reopens the debate about inequality in schooling. It provides concrete evidence that typical government policies in the Western world are not working, and that they are helping to create a permanent underclass. Thomson outlines an alternative whole of government approach to policy, which builds on those school programs that do make a real difference to educational outcomes. Thomson also emphasises the influence of local geography. Schools are coloured by particular neighbourhoods, permeated by national and global events, and tangled in complex networks of social relations. Interventions which work in one school may not work in others.

About this title

About the Author

Pat Thomson is Associate Professor in the School of Education at the University of South Australia. She is well-known for her innovative work as principal of disadvantaged schools in Adelaide. She has also worked in education policy and speaks regularly at conferences in Australia, North America and the UK.

Edition details

• Publisher: Allen & Unwin
• Publication date: 2002
• Language: English
• ISBN 10: 1865086851
• ISBN 13: 9781865086859
• Binding: Paperback
• Edition number: 1
• Number of pages: 246