EDF3210 - Education policy and practice - 2018

This unit involves students in investigations of the educational policy and practice interface, through critical analyses of Victorian, national and international educational policy discourses around a range of issues and their impact on teachers' and school practices. Students develop understanding of what legislative requirements must be met, e.g. ensuring students' wellbeing and safety, anti-discrimination and equity laws. They explore how policies can impact on meeting diverse learners' needs and how they can be supported to ensure social justice, inclusion and equity for students from varied linguistic, cultural, religious and socio-economic backgrounds. Students examine the Melbourne Declaration on the Educational Goals for Young Australians and other federal and state policies that aim to develop curriculum and practice emphases in line with key priorities for education in Australia including the cross-curriculum priority areas, namely: learning about Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander histories and cultures; learning about Asia and Australia's engagement with Asia; and learning about sustainability. Students explore and analyse how these policies are enacted at school and classroom levels to better understand the challenges of policy implementation.

Upon successful completion of this unit students should be able to:

1. describe and understand the implications for teachers and schools of key Victorian, national and international policies pertaining to ensuring students' wellbeing and safety, social justice, equity and inclusion of students from diverse linguistic, cultural, religious and socio-economic backgrounds.
2. understand relevant legislative, administrative and organisational policies and processes required for teachers and schools and how these impact on practice
3. investigate the ways in which a range of policies and priority areas are implemented at school and classroom levels and know how to apply these in practice.

Critical essay on policy discourse and practice (2000 words, 50%)

Project on implementing policy and practice priority areas (2000 words, 50%)

Minimum total expected workload equals 144 hours per semester comprising:

1. Contact hours for on-campus students:
   • 2 contact hours per week comprising of lectures, tutorials and online activities
2. Additional requirements:
   • independent study to make up the minimum required minimum hours per week

See also Unit timetable information

Primary education

Primary and secondary education

Primary and secondary inclusive education