Author Description

Retention rates to Year 12 in Australia have risen dramatically in the past 10 years, and there is now much greater diversity among students remaining. These changes provide continuing challenge to those concerned with postcompulsory curriculum. The key curriculum question is: what are we and what should we be teaching to this expanded group of young people in our schools? This book attempts to explain the pattern of postcompulsory curriculum in the past and present, and examines the issues and problems which must be addressed to enable the future development of a comprehensive postcompulsory curriculum. It discusses: the challenge and politics of postcompulsory education and training; the historical roots of the postcompulsory academic curriculum, education and training for school to work transition, the welfare role of the postcompulsory curriculum and issues of educational disadvantage; results of research and practical experience in providing a curriculum for the postcompulsory years; and key agenda items in the current debate and views on the future shape of postcompulsory curriculum.