Reference no: EM133919076

Workplace Policy and Practice

Unit Overview
This unit examines the impact of educational policy on the lives and work of educators and how it affects their choices in the areas of curriculum and pedagogy and their overall sense of ownership of their work. The unit will introduce students to critical policy analysis for the purpose of investigating educational policies relevant to their own professional development and interests in schools, tertiary institutions or vocational education and training.

Learning Experiences

The unit is offered in the online (external) as well as internal mode. On campus and synchronous Teams meetings will be held to share and develop students' policy understandings and interests through small-group discussions. Learning outcomes

This unit enables you to demonstrate your achievement of the following unit learning outcomes.

L01. Critically interrogate a particular educational policy and practice including the assumptions, values and features of that particular setting.
L02. Critically analyse the broader social, economic and political context of educational policy making.
L03. Develop a critically reflective approach to policy analysis as a part of ongoing professional development and responsibility.
L04. Communicate to an audience of colleagues and peers how policy is experienced, interpreted and enacted by educational workers

Lead teacher attributes
This unit will contribute to the development of the following Graduate Attributes:
Communication
Critical and creative thinking
Social interaction
Independent and lifelong learning
Social justice
Global perspective
Interdisciplinarity
In-depth knowledge of a field of study

Learning activities and details
Study Topic 1 Doing critical policy analysis
Study Topic 2 Globalisation, the state and teachers' work
Study Topic 3 Education markets and choice
Study Topic 4 New public management
Study Topic 5 Devolution and the "self-managing" school
Study Topic 6 Education and the world of work
Study Topic 7 What's happening to teachers' work?
Study Topic 8 Difference, social justice and education
Study Topic 9 Towards a critical democratic policy agenda for education
Study Topic 10-12 Presentation and discussion

Workshop activities
Topic 1: Doing critical policy analysis

Study Topic 1 will introduce you to the field of critical policy studies. In the policy literature two broad approaches can be identified, namely:

traditional policy analysis based on a positivist view of knowledge, rationality and linear processes; and
critical policy analysis based on interpretative views of knowledge and society, democratic participation and social justice (Taylor et al., 1997, pp.17-21). Get expert-level assignment help in any subject.

Topic 2: Globalisation, the state and teachers' work
Study Topic 2 begins to locate educational policy and teachers' work within the broader social, economic and political context of globalisation and the changing role of the state.

Topic 3: Education markets and school choice
Workshop Study topic 3 will explore the impact of the market on educational policy and practice.

Topic 4: New public management
Workshop: Study Topic 4 will examine the nature, purposes and processes of new managerialism, within a context of marketisation, and the consequences for education policy and teachers' work. Each of the readings in this section provides a critical analysis of new managerialism.

Topic 5: Devolution and the "self-managing" school

Workshop: Study Topic 5 will investigate the arguments for and against the move toward devolution or "self-managing schools" in the current policy context. We will be exploring the concept of the Independent Public School.
The readings in this section will pick up these differing perspectives and the consequences for education policy.

Topic 6: Education and work (the marketisation of education)
Study Topic 6 examines the reasons for the marketisation of education and how it is being played out in different contexts including schools, VET and higher education. Since the mid-1970s educational discourses have advocated stronger links between education and the world of work. Underpinning this view is the assumption that education is a significant variable influencing labour productivity and economic growth and hence Australia's international competitiveness (Down, 2019).

Topic 7: What's happening to teachers' work?
Workshop activities
So far we have examined the broader social, economic and political context in which educational policy and practice is being (re)shaped around human capital views of education. Study Topic 7 shifts the focus to consider the impact of these policy directions on teachers' work.

Topic 8: Difference, social justice and education
Workshop:

Study Topic 8 will locate matters of difference, social justice and education as the cornerstones of educational policy and practice.

Topic 9: Towards a critical democratic policy agenda for education
Workshop activities

Study Topic 9 will provide an opportunity to bring together the main themes, issues, questions and concerns emerging from your reading, reflection and writing over the semester. The focus will be on clarifying your understanding of educational policy and teachers' work, in particular how it might be used for more progressive and democratic ends. You will be asked to make a personal response to the ideas raised for the purpose of articulating your own conception, vision and practice as policy activists. You will have a chance to reflect on your learning, and what it means for future practice.

Description: The aim of this first assignment is to connect students to some of the key ideas in the critical policy analysis literature. The intention is to develop a rationale and set of understandings for studying educational issues and policy ‘critically'.

Assessment Item 2
Critical Policy Analysis
The aim of this assignment is to extend students' knowledge by undertaking a critical policy analysis of an issue of relevance and interest to them.

Assessment Item 3
Presentation

The professional presentation requires students to pursue some aspect of the unit and/or critical policy analysis (Ass 2) with a group of professional colleagues and peers.

Assessment information
All components of the Unit assessment must be submitted to gain a pass in the Unit as all assessment components are aligned to the AITSL standards which are required for accreditation and teacher registration. You will be assessed on the basis of:
• Evidence of understanding of the Unit content
• Evidence of wide reading and research
• Level of synthesis reflecting engagement with material and critical analysis
• Use of non-discriminatory language
• Use of correct spelling, grammar, and punctuation
• Clarity of expression and logical structure of written work
• Citation of recent references to support your written work
• Inclusion of a reference list in any work you submit
• Correct and consistent use of APA referencing system

ASSESSMENT DESCRIPTION

Assessment 1- Short Written Essay

The aim of this first assignment is to connect you with some of the key ideas in the Learning Guide and readings about the nature, purposes and processes of critical policy analysis. The paper should have two parts:

(a) Based on your reading, annotated bibliography and reflections prepare a short written paper that explains your understanding of critical policy analysis and why it should be important to teachers. The intent is to develop a rationale for studying policy ‘critically'. Imagine you are writing this for your colleagues in a staff newsletter or a professional journal.

(b) Begin to describe how such an approach might open up some possibilities for analyzing a particular policy, theme or topic of interest to your educational setting (classroom, school, institution, community). In this task you might want to begin to identify some preliminary thoughts about why this policy is of importance, what it says, where has it come from, and how you might begin to understand it ‘critically'.

Please refer to the assessment criteria elaborated on the assignment cover sheet at the back of this booklet.

Assessment - Critical Policy Analysis Literature Review Essay

This paper requires you to critically analyse the literature on an educational issue and policy relevant to you and/or your school/institution. The study topic readings will serve as a starting point for the careful analysis of a policy problem, question or concern of interest to you.

high stakes testing
big data
blended learning/digital teaching
assessment and reporting
gender
bullying
equity and social justice
teacher attrition
school funding
teachers' work
performance management
school leaving age
school retention
league tables
school choice
VET in schools
NAPLAN
Indigenous education
trauma informed teaching
teacher wellbeing
inclusive education and/or school culture
literacy and numeracy
behaviour management
IPS
devolution
managerialism
competency based training
higher education policy
academic work
leadership
performance pay
specialist schools
Australian Curriculum
play-based learning
explicit direct instruction
LANTITE

Please discuss your proposed topic with your unit coordinator and email a short proposal by 18 September or earlier.

Assignment - Professional Presentation

The professional presentation requires you to pursue some aspect of the course and/or major critical policy essay with a group of professional colleagues. The purpose is to create a conversation about educational policy and the implications for teachers' work. The task requires you to present a 10-minute seminar/forum/workshop on a policy issue of importance to you and your colleagues. The format is up to you but should include 5 minutes of presentation - overview of the policy issue, followed by a facilitated 5 min discussion, and the preparation of a one-page handout for class members. The presentation date and time will be organised ahead of schedule.