Equity and Influence in the Funding of Schools
Critical Moments in Australian Education Policy
Published on 15. May 2025
Book
Hardback
208 pages
978-1-350-41603-1 (ISBN)
Description
This book traces the policymaking processes of the Review of Funding for Schooling (2011), which fundamentally changed school funding policy in Australia.
School funding is a key element of any equitable school system. This is because the distribution of government funding for schooling leads to significant differences in the educational opportunities available for individual students, schools, and communities. The book shows that although education policy is often thought about as an abstract process, it is a series of small critical moments that create the policy and progress implementation towards or away from equity in school funding. Sinclair offers a new theory for understanding and then impacting in real-time the policymaking process towards equity in school funding, the "critical moments theory". In doing so, he identifies where education leaders, teachers, policymakers, scholars, and community members all have the agency to influence policy from conceptualisation to implementation.
School funding is a key element of any equitable school system. This is because the distribution of government funding for schooling leads to significant differences in the educational opportunities available for individual students, schools, and communities. The book shows that although education policy is often thought about as an abstract process, it is a series of small critical moments that create the policy and progress implementation towards or away from equity in school funding. Sinclair offers a new theory for understanding and then impacting in real-time the policymaking process towards equity in school funding, the "critical moments theory". In doing so, he identifies where education leaders, teachers, policymakers, scholars, and community members all have the agency to influence policy from conceptualisation to implementation.
Reviews / Votes
This book focuses on the intractable equity issues associated with government funding for schools. It exposes the power dynamics of a fateful policy phase. The front and back policy stories are suffused with optimism and cynicism-seldom benign and always politically calculated. Potential equity turning points are identified. A revealing read for policy researchers and campaigners alike. -- Jane Kenway, Emeritus Professor, Monash University, Australia Equity and Influence in the Funding of Schools offers an innovative framework that details the catalysts and critical moments that shape the equity trajectory of education policy. Sinclair's critical analysis carefully details the complexities of the school funding policymaking process in Australia and importantly, proposes strategies that will aid in more equitable processes and outcomes. This important contribution will help policymakers and practitioners alike in their pursuit of fostering equity in schooling. -- Sarah Diem, Interim Dean, University of Missouri, USAMore details
Series
Language
English
Place of publication
London
United Kingdom
Publishing group
Bloomsbury Publishing PLC
Target group
Professional and scholarly
College/higher education
Adult education
Illustrations
20 bw illus
Dimensions
Height: 240 mm
Width: 161 mm
Thickness: 16 mm
Weight
473 gr
ISBN-13
978-1-350-41603-1 (9781350416031)
Copyright in bibliographic data and cover images is held by Nielsen Book Services Limited or by the publishers or by their respective licensors: all rights reserved.
Schweitzer Classification
Person
Matthew P. Sinclair is a Lecturer in the School of Education at RMIT University, Australia.
Content
Series Editors' Foreword
Prologue
1. The Australian Schooling Landscape
2. The Winding Road to School Funding Revolution
3. How is School Funding Policy Made? Critical Moments in the Development of the Review of Funding for Schooling (2011)
4. Spheres of Funding Policy Influence: Backroom Deals, Elections, School Sectors, and Policy (mis)Enactment
5. A New Exploratory Theory for Influencing School Funding Policy Toward Equity
6. Insights and Recommendations for the Future: A Path Towards More Equitable School Funding Policy
Epilogue
References
Prologue
1. The Australian Schooling Landscape
2. The Winding Road to School Funding Revolution
3. How is School Funding Policy Made? Critical Moments in the Development of the Review of Funding for Schooling (2011)
4. Spheres of Funding Policy Influence: Backroom Deals, Elections, School Sectors, and Policy (mis)Enactment
5. A New Exploratory Theory for Influencing School Funding Policy Toward Equity
6. Insights and Recommendations for the Future: A Path Towards More Equitable School Funding Policy
Epilogue
References