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Learning Communities and Student Voice

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Re-imagining Schooling for Education

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Abstract

This chapter examines the relational and affective aspects of schooling. Drawing upon extensive literature and field work data, it was found that supportive relationships were significant in enhancing the quality of young people’s educational experiences and outcomes. In particular, connectedness and partnerships are key factors. Connectedness is explored through practices centred on building relationships among staff and young people based on care, support and acceptance whilst building mutual trust, respect and responsibility. Partnerships are discussed within the context of developing and encouraging student voice by: collaborating with young people; listening to their opinions; incorporating choice and flexibility; and through practices that develop equity and community membership, agency, and active, independent citizenship.

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Notes

  1. 1.

    This is a peak inter-governmental forum in Australia comprised of the Prime Minister, state and territory Premiers and Chief Ministers, and the President of the Australian Local Government Association. The role of COAG is to promote policy reforms that are of national significance.

  2. 2.

    The United Nations declaration identifies anyone under the age of 18 years as a child. For the remainder of this paper, we will use the collective term ‘young people’ given the age group of students at the research sites.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. School of Education and Professional Studies, Griffith University, Brisbane, Australia

    Glenda McGregor

  2. School of Education, The University of Queensland, Brisbane, Australia

    Martin Mills

  3. Peter Underwood Centre for Educational Attainment, University of Tasmania, Hobart, Australia

    Kitty Te Riele

  4. Faculty of Education, Queensland University of Technology, Brisbane, Australia

    Aspa Baroutsis

  5. Sydney School of Education and Social Work, University of Sydney, Sydney, Australia

    Debra Hayes

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  1. Glenda McGregor
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  2. Martin Mills
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  4. Aspa Baroutsis
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  5. Debra Hayes
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McGregor, G., Mills, M., Te Riele, K., Baroutsis, A., Hayes, D. (2017). Learning Communities and Student Voice. In: Re-imagining Schooling for Education. Palgrave Studies in Alternative Education. Palgrave Macmillan, London. https://doi.org/10.1057/978-1-137-59551-5_5

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1057/978-1-137-59551-5_5

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