School autonomy reform and social justice in Australian public education
Author Identifier (ORCID)
Brad Gobby: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-2170-5435
Abstract
This book explores the social justice implications of school autonomy reform within the context of public education in Australia. It is situated within and framed by global concerns about how public schools are navigating their ‘autonomy’ within increasingly marketised education systems. Drawing on extensive interviews with stakeholders and five in-depth case study schools, the book calls attention to the ways in which the intentions of school autonomy reform to offer schools more freedom to make their own decisions and manage their own responsibilities have become increasingly contained by the market imperatives of economic efficiency, competition and public accountability driving state and national education systems. We build on and enrich existing research in this area that highlights how market imperatives continue to exacerbate inequality within and between schools and their systems. An essential read for researchers, policy makers, principals and teachers worldwide, the book provides insight into how education systems can better support public schools to mobilise their autonomy in socially just ways.
Document Type
Book
Date of Publication
1-1-2025
Publication Title
School Autonomy Reform and Social Justice in Australian Public Education
Publisher
Taylor & Francis
School
School of Education
RAS ID
83714
Copyright
subscription content
First Page
1
Last Page
268
Comments
Keddie, A., MacDonald, K., Gobby, B., Blackmore, J., Wilkinson, J., Eacott, S., & Niesche, R. (2025). School autonomy reform and social justice in Australian public education. Routledge. https://doi.org/10.4324/9781032676647