The fifth edition provides you with a depth of understanding of how education can influence and shape society, and conversely how society shapes education policy. Each chapter not only describes and analyses what is going on, but also interprets the evidence and includes up to date references.

NEW TO THIS EDITION

• New chapters showcasing a range of themes, including young people in educational institutions; school systems and school choice; curriculum; and teachers.
• An expansive focus on nation-wide policies with in-text examples from New South Wales, Western Australia, South Australia and Tasmania.
• Educational and sociological concepts are explained and discussed, equipping you to critically examine education, curriculum and learner experiences.
• New and updated boxed texts include evocative comments and grounded examples of topics from the chapters. Focus questions in each chapter encourage critical discussion of content.
• Suggestions for further reading and external web content provide a platform for discovering and exploring the wealth of research on the social contexts of education and policy studies in Australia and beyond.