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Pursuing Equity

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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

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