The Eighth International Literacy & Education Research Network Conference on

SPETSES, GREECE
4-8 July 2001

Megan Lugg

PhD Student, School of Professional Studies, Faculty of Education,
The University of Sydney, New South Wales, Australia

Vocational Education in Australian Schools: How Standards and Equity Compete

Abstract

This presentation explores issues related to the recent introduction of a new senior secondary certificate into schools in New South Wales, the largest Australian state. This reform was an ambitious attempt to create a "stronger, simpler and fairer Higher School Certificate" (NSW Minister for Education, 1997) and had been founded on two related principles: standards and equity. Issues raised in this paper relate to this reform, these two principles and the extent to which their relationship might be the source of tension within NSW secondary schools in terms of equity and curriculum change. In particular, the paper considers the introduction of seven new vocational courses which provide students with greater options for pursuing employment, further vocational education and/or university studies, and how the increased rigour of such courses and how they are viewed within the school environment, could provide a barrier to those 'at risk' students they might otherwise advantage.

Bionote

Megan Lugg has an extensive background in vocational education as an consultant and educator with TAFE NSW and the University of Newcastle and is currently completing her PhD at the University of Sydney, under an APAI scholarship, as part of a project investigating vocational education and equity in senior schooling.

Presentation Type
30 min. Paper

Presentation Equipment and Other Requests

Speaking Date/Time Restrictions

Country
Australia