Educating Australia Government, Economy and Citizen since 1960

This is the first comprehensive history of the Australian education systems, programs and policies in the period since 1960. The book draws on economic and sociological data, key texts and political events, anecdotes and a review of other analyses to build a picture of the role of education programs in the modernization of Australian life. It examines the implications of change for the labor market and the economy, in social policies and in cultural life. An important focus of the book is the discussion of the extension of citizenship through education.

This book is the first comprehensive history of Australian education systems, programs and policies of the period since 1960. The narrative of changes in schooling, training and university life is placed in the context of changing policies and governments and evolving economic and social trends. The book draws on economic and sociological data, key texts and political events, anecdotes and a review of other analyses to build its rich picture of the role of education programs in the modernisation of Australian life. The book traces the shift from universal public provision to market systems, with the concomitant change in definitions of participation and equity. It examines the implications of this change for the labour market and the economy, in social policies and in cultural life. An important focus of the book is the discussion of the extension of citizenship through education.

1. Introduction; Part I. The Modern Citizen 1960–1975: 2. The expansion of education to 1975; 3. The Karmel report and education equality; Part II. The Anti-Citizen 1975–1990: 4. The New Right and public policy; 5. Individual and government; 6. The New Right and education; Part III. The Economic Citizen 1985–: 7. Education and national economic reconstruction; 8. Participation and equity; 9. Economic government in education; Part IV. The Multi-Citizen 1990–: 10. Civics, citizenship and difference.

This book is the first comprehensive history of Australian education systems, programs and policies of the period since 1960. The narrative of changes in schooling, training and university life is placed in the context of changing policies and governments and evolving economic and social trends.