Policy Change in 2008: Evidence-Based or a Knee-Jerk Response?

Brian Devlin

    Research output: Chapter in Book/Report/Conference proceedingChapterpeer-review

    3 Citations (Scopus)

    Abstract

    Since the 1970s school attendance and student performance data have been used to determine the status and future of bilingual education programs in remote NT schools. They have primarily been evaluated for educational planning purposes, which is both acceptable and necessary. Regrettably, evidence has also been selectively compiled by Government officials at different times, as in 2008, to serve a particular political purpose. Bilingual education has always been contested since its inception in the NT. It is argued in this chapter that had this educational approach been better understood, there would have been greater official willingness to maintain support, and to continue refining it as a model of schooling appropriate for students in remote areas. Instead, in 2008 and 2009, some decision makers publicly debunked bilingual-biliteracy education, which they poorly understood, thereby diverting schools and communities, and distracting their attention away from the work that needed to be done.
    Original languageEnglish
    Title of host publicationHistory of bilingual education in the Northern Territory
    Subtitle of host publicationPeople, programs and policies
    EditorsBrian Devlin, Samantha Disbray, Nancy Devlin
    Place of PublicationSingapore
    PublisherSpringer Singapore
    Chapter17
    Pages203-218
    Number of pages16
    Edition1
    ISBN (Electronic)9789811020780
    ISBN (Print)9789811020766
    DOIs
    Publication statusPublished - 2017

    Publication series

    NameLanguage Policy
    PublisherSpringer
    Volume12
    ISSN (Print)1571-5361

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