Project Summary:

The aim of this project is to study alternative schools operating on the margins of the mainstream, which have as their stated aim the provision of a socially just and inclusive education for all young people. Analysing philosophies and practices in such sites will provide accounts of diverse approaches to schooling that will help to construct a counter-narrative to the currently dominant neoliberal educational policy context of increased testing, measurement and bureaucratic accountabilities. As a consequence, this research will endeavour to influence mainstream schools in respect of ensuring that a socially just education is available to all their students.

Several entities are collaborating to produce the research, including: University of Queensland (lead organisation); Griffith University; and The University of Sydney.

This discovery project was funded by the Australian Research Council for the 2012-2014 period.

Project team: Associate Professor Kitty te Riele (The Victoria Institute), Professor Martin Mills (University of Queensland), Dr Glenda McGregor (Griffiths University) and Associate Professor Deb Hayes (University of Sydney).