'So, what is wrong with indigenous education?' Perspective, position and power beyond a deficit discourse

Loading...
Thumbnail Image
File version

Accepted Manuscript (AM)

Author(s)
Vass, G
Griffith University Author(s)
Primary Supervisor
Other Supervisors
Editor(s)
Date
2012
Size
File type(s)
Location
License
Abstract

It is the aim of this article to provoke debate and encourage greater scrutiny regarding the use and meaning of the expression 'Indigenous education' within the discursive practices, research and policy in Australian education. Drawing on Hall's (2007) development of ideas from Foucault that give rise to 'Indigenous education' being viewed as a 'regime of truth', it is my contention that the widespread and largely uncritical use of this expression is contributing to sustaining deficit assumptions regarding the engagement and outcomes of Indigenous students within Australian schools. To explore this concern, I will first 'archaeologically' excavate (Scheurich, 1997) the emergence of this 'regime' within the Australian setting. Following on from this, I will discuss and reflect upon recent debates associated with initiatives designed to 'close the gap' when comparing Indigenous and non-Indigenous student achievements in education. Given the changes inaugurated by the Labor-led 'Education Revolution' since 2007, this is a particularly pertinent line of inquiry to take up, with the focus of this article largely concerned with its impact in the Queensland setting. © The Authors 2013.

Journal Title

Australian Journal of Indigenous Education

Conference Title
Book Title
Edition
Volume

41

Issue

2

Thesis Type
Degree Program
School
Publisher link
Patent number
Funder(s)
Grant identifier(s)
Rights Statement
Rights Statement

© 2013 Cambridge University Press. This is the author-manuscript version of this paper. Reproduced in accordance with the copyright policy of the publisher. Please refer to the journal's website for access to the definitive, published version.

Item Access Status
Note
Access the data
Related item(s)
Subject

Education systems

Specialist studies in education

Sociology

Persistent link to this record
Citation

Vass, G, 'So, what is wrong with indigenous education?' Perspective, position and power beyond a deficit discourse, Australian Journal of Indigenous Education, 2012, 41 (2), pp. 85-96

Collections