Pursuing Equity:

Navigating School Funding & Governance in Australia - Concepts, Application, & Outcomes with a Spotlight on Victoria

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What is this book all about?
Table of Contents
What the Readers Say?
About the Author

What is this book all about?

This book provides a comprehensive evaluation of Australia’s school funding and governance framework, enriched with a robust conceptual foundation and a focused analysis of its application and outcomes in Victoria. Drawing on the author’s extensive experience spanning nearly two decades with the Victorian Department of Education (formerly the Department of Education and Training, DET), it offers a detailed empirical perspective on the subject. Supported by balanced empirical evidence, the book highlights the complexities and dynamics involved in pursuing equity in educational provision in Australia. Readers are encouraged to delve deeper and critically engage with these insights to fully appreciate the challenges and nuances of achieving equitable educational outcomes. This is an essential resource for education researchers, administrators, teachers, parents, and school council members.

Table of Contents

	What is This Book All About?	v
	Table of Contents	vii
	Acknowledgements	ix
1	Introduction and Book Structure	1

Part I: Pillars of the Foundation
2	An Overview of the Australian Education System	11
3	Economic Models influencing School Finance & Governance	23
4	Legislative Foundation Ruling School Financing and Governance	33
5	Australian Political Framework Influencing Education	43
6	Exploring Key Concepts of School Finance and Governance	51
7	Distinctive Contextual Factors Affecting Australian Education	61
Part II: Historical Outlook
8	Evolution of School Financing and Governance Policies in the State of Victoria	71
9	Evolution of Federal Government’s Interventions in School Funding	79
Part III: Methods of Funding
10	Federal Funding Methods to Government and Non-Government Schools	91
11	State Government Funding Methods for Victorian Government Schools	99
12	State government Funding Methods to Victorian Non-Government Schools	107
Part IV: Structural Frame of Finance
13	Revenue Structure of Victorian Government Schools	117
14	Expenditure Structure in Victorian Government Schools	127
15	Resourcing Teaching Force: Workforce Management in Victorian Government Schools	133
Part V: Execution Blueprint
16	Unveiling the School Governance Model in Victoria	141
17	Managing Financial and Operational Risks in Victorian Government Schools	147
Part VI: Gloomy Horizon of Outcomes
18	School Autonomy: Challenges of Financial Management and Governance in Victoria	161
19	School Autonomy: Unanticipated Financial Irregularities and Unethical Practices in Victoria	169
20	School Autonomy in Victoria: Unanticipated Governance Challenges	179
21	Devolution Paradox: Trends of Bureaucratisation of School Leadership in Victoria	191
Part VII: Outcomes & Prospects
22	Advocating Fairness: Socio-Political Dynamics Shaping the Power Balance in Education	203
23	Assessing Educational Equity: School Funding Disparities and Unmet Expectations	221
24	Beyond the Norm: Uncovering the Key Drivers and Missing Links Shaping Modern Educational Performance	237
25	The Pursuit of Equity: Emerging Comparative Perspectives, and Concluding Comments	249
Appendices
1	Bibliography	265
2	About the Author	289

What the Readers Say

"This book offers a thorough and insightful evaluation of Australia's school funding and governance, particularly in Victoria. It effectively navigates key concepts, applications, and emerging outcomes, shedding light on the challenges and implications of school choice and autonomy."

"Drawing from extensive experience and empirical research, the author provides valuable insights into Victoria's pioneering approaches to school funding and governance. This book is an essential resource for understanding the complex dynamics of educational equity in Australia."

"A critical and comprehensive analysis, this book unpacks the technicalities of school finance and governance, highlighting the interplay between economic models, political agendas, and social factors. It challenges readers to consider whether current frameworks truly promote equity and quality in education."

About the Author

Bandara Bandaranayake completed his B.Ed. (Honors) Degree and MPhil Degree from the University of Colombo. He earned his PhD at Monash University on a Monash Graduate Scholarship. After obtaining his first degree, he joined the Ministry of Education in Sri Lanka and held several secondary school teaching positions before advancing to senior administrative roles in the Education Service. Following the completion of his PhD and a short tenure at Monash University, he joined the public service. Over three decades, he held several senior positions at the Department of Internal Affairs (New Zealand), the Department of Innovation, Industry and Regional Development (Australia), and the Department of Education (Australia) His research interests include educational governance, ethics and integrity, public sector reforms, public policy, cultural anthropology, and evolutionary psychology. He has published several books and numerous journal articles. Currently, he engages in independent research, psychotherapy, and counselling.

Email: bandaranayakeb@gmail.com