School Choice

School Choice

How Parents Negotiate The New School Market in Australia

Explores the dilemma many parents face when choosing a school for their children, and the impact of the growing gap between public and private schools on families, schools and the community.

What's the real barbecue stopper in Australian suburbs today? It's choosing a school for our children.

Based on extensive interviews with parents, School Choice reveals their experience of the school selection process. Some are bruised or frustrated. Others feel that schools, not parents, have the real power to choose who goes to which school. As criticism of government schools becomes common, the pressure on families increases to find the right school whilst at the same time managing their finances in an economic downturn.

As more non-government schools open and criticism of government schools becomes common, the pressure on families increases to find the right school. This book examines the anxieties, aspirations and strategies of parents, and how schools are promoting themselves and managing the selection process.

School Choice asks why different families attempt to get their children into different kinds of schools. Who gets into selective academic schools? Why are new low-fee Christian schools becoming popular? Are parents departing from family traditions? Do coaching colleges make a difference? What does it mean when parents talk about religion and values in schooling? What strategies work and what don't?

The new school market is reshaping Australian society now and for the long term. School Choice looks behind the brochures and websites to examine what's happening to families and schools, and who are the winners and losers.

The book examines:
The anxieties, aspirations and strategies of parents
How schools are promoting themselves
The selection process of schools
Who gets into selective academic schools?
Are parents departing from family tradition?
Why are new low-fee Christian schools becoming popular?
What does it mean when parents talk about religion and values in schooling?

School Choice looks behind the brochures and websites to examine what's happening to families and schools and who are the winners and losers.

Craig Campbell, Helen Proctor and Geoffrey SheringtonAssociate Professor Craig Campbell, Dr Helen Proctor and Professor Geoffrey Sherington are all from the Faculty of Education and Social Work at the University of Sydney. This book is based on a major four-year research project funded by the Australian Research Council.

Review: An itneresting insight into 'School Choice' and an indepth look at how we choose schools for our children based on a number of criterias. This book we enlight you & help you make the right school decision for the family. After all choosing a school is a personal and business decision.

School Choice
Allen and Unwin
Author: Craig Campbell, Helen Proctor and Geoffrey Sherington
ISBN: 9781741756562
Price: $32.95

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