New book examines youth and school reform

Young people today are often unfairly stereotyped as out-of-control kids, troublemakers and lazy, according to Murdoch University’s City of Rockingham Chair of Education, Professor Barry Down.

At the launch of his new book Activist and Socially Critical School and Community Renewal, Professor Down and co-authors Professor John Smyth, Professor Lawrence Angus and Dr Peter McInerney, said it was time to step back and ask deeper questions

“Our book draws on research from two communities to describe the damaging impact of social and educational inequality on the lives of young people put at disadvantage,” Professor Down said.

“We argue that it is time to move on from the victim blaming and pathologising explanations of school failure, academic achievement and misbehaviour.

“Instead, we call for policy responses that start by trying to deeply understand what is troubling young people and to do this from their perspective.”

Professor Smyth said it was about respect for the knowledge and experiences of youth and recognising their right to be a part of the solution.

Breaking important new ground, the book brings together the fields of school reform and community renewal, exploring a range of themes including policy reclamation, relational power, school effectiveness and meaningful work.

Professor Down acknowledged the invaluable contribution of the City of Rockingham, Murdoch University, Department of Education and Training (WA) and local high schools for their support of the Australian Research Council Linkage grant which informed the book.

The book, available from Sense Publishers, was officially launched by Caroline Payne, Principal of Kolbe Catholic College, who commended the authors for their timely and challenging analysis of current educational policy settings as well as their willingness to listen to students and teachers about what makes for a worthwhile education.

Pictured above: (Left to right) Prof Barry Down, City of Rockingham Chair in Education; Mr Barry Sammels, Mayor City of Rockingham; Deb Hamblin, City of Rockingham Councillor; and Prof John Smyth, University of Ballarat.