Skip to main content

Another Brick in the Wall? Parent Perceptions of School Educational Experiences of Indigenous Australian Children

  • Chapter
  • First Online:
Indigenous Children Growing Up Strong

Abstract

Within the Australian and international research literature the likely importance of how schools and teachers relate to and interact with Indigenous parents and children has been identified. Despite this, there is as yet little Australian research in this area. This chapter addresses this question. The results find that Parent 1s’ perception that the teacher of the study child was sensitive to the needs of Indigenous families was regularly and positively linked to good relationships with the school. This finding strongly suggests that the relationships between teachers and parents are not only of great importance, but that the nature of this relationship must move beyond a homogeneous and Eurocentric understanding of what constitutes Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander parents and their families.

This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.

Access this chapter

Chapter
USD 29.95
Price excludes VAT (USA)
  • Available as PDF
  • Read on any device
  • Instant download
  • Own it forever
eBook
USD 119.00
Price excludes VAT (USA)
  • Available as EPUB and PDF
  • Read on any device
  • Instant download
  • Own it forever
Hardcover Book
USD 159.99
Price excludes VAT (USA)
  • Durable hardcover edition
  • Dispatched in 3 to 5 business days
  • Free shipping worldwide - see info

Tax calculation will be finalised at checkout

Purchases are for personal use only

Institutional subscriptions

References

  • Arens, A.K., G. Bodkin-Andrews, R.G. Craven, and A.S. Yeung. 2014. Self-Concept of Indigenous and Non-Indigenous Australian Students: Competence and Affect Components and Relations to Achievement. Learning and Individual Differences 32: 93–103.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Armstrong, S., S. Buckley, M. Lonsdale et al. 2012. Starting School: A Strengths-Based Approach Towards Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Children. Accessed April 19, 2016. http://research.acer.edu.au/indigenous_education/27

  • Berthelsen, D., and S. Walker. 2008. Parents’ Involvement in Their Children’s Education. Family Matters 79: 34–41.

    Google Scholar 

  • Biddle, N., and T. Cameron. 2012. The Benefits of Indigenous Education: Data Findings and Data Gaps. In Survey Analysis for Indigenous Policy in Australia: Social Science Perspectives, ed. B. Hunter and N. Biddle. Canberra: ANU ePress.

    Google Scholar 

  • Board of Studies NSW. 2008. Working with Aboriginal Communities: A Guide to Community Consultation and Protocols. Sydney, NSW: Board of Studies NSW.

    Google Scholar 

  • Bodkin-Andrews, G.H., A. Dillon, and R.G. Craven. 2010. Bangawarra’gumada—Strengthening the Spirit: Causal Modelling of Academic Self-Concept and Patterns of Disengagement for Indigenous and Non-Indigenous Australian Students. The Australian Journal of Indigenous Education 39(01): 24–39.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Cargo, M., and L.W. Warner. 2013. “Realist Evaluation” in Action: A Worked Example of the Indigenous Parental Engagement Program. Accessed April 19, 2016. https://www2.aifs.gov.au/cfca/knowledgecircle/discussions/service-capacity/%E2%80%9Crealist-evaluation%E2%80%9D-action-worked-example

  • Chenhall, R., C. Holmes, T. Lea, K. Senior, and A. Wegner. 2011. Parent-School Engagement: Exploring the Concept of ‘Invisible’ Indigenous Parents in Three North Australian School Communities. Accessed April 19, 2016. http://ro.uow.edu.au/sspapers/1458/

  • Commonwealth of Australia. 2015. Closing the Gap Prime Minister’s Report 2015. Accessed April 19, 2016. https://www.dpmc.gov.au/sites/default/files/publications/Closing_the_Gap_2015_Report.pdf

  • Craddock, L. 1971. Indigenous Education in Walgett. The Education of Aborigines. Canberra. Australian College of Education.

    Google Scholar 

  • Craven, R.G., and G.H. Bodkin-Andrews. 2011. What Research Tells Us. In Teaching Aboriginal Studies, ed. R.G. Craven, 210–228. Sydney, NSW: Allen and Unwin.

    Google Scholar 

  • Craven, R.G., A.S. Yeung, and F. Han. 2014. The Impact of Professional Development and Indigenous Education Officers on Australian Teachers’ Indigenous Teaching and Learning. Australian Journal of Teacher Education 39(8): 5.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • De Bortoli, L., and S. Thomson. 2010. Contextual Factors that Influence the Achievement of Australia’s Indigenous Students: Results from PISA 2000–2006. Accessed April 28, 2016. http://research.acer.edu.au/ozpisa/7/

  • Department of Education Employment and Workplace Relations. 2008. Family-School Partnerships Framework: A Guide for Schools and Families. Accessed April 28, 2016. http://www.familyschool.org.au/index.php/s/family-school-partnerships/

  • ———. 2011. Telling Their Stories: School Case Studies in Parental Engagement: Case Studies. Accessed April 28, 2016. http://www.partners4learning.edu.au/_uploads/_ckpg/files/Attachment%203_Telling%20their%20Stories%20-%20Case%20Studies%20Full%20Version_FINAL.pdf

  • Eckermann, A.K. 1998. The Economics of Aboriginal Education. International Journal of Social Economics 25 (2/3/4): 302–313.

    Google Scholar 

  • Flood, J. 2013. Aboriginal Women and Higher Education: A Pilot Study of What Drives and Sustains Mature-Age Aboriginal Women to Study at University. In Seeding Success in Indigenous Australian Higher Education, ed. R. Craven and J. Mooney, 209–223. Bingly, UK: Emerald Group Publishing.

    Chapter  Google Scholar 

  • Ford, M. 2013. Achievement Gaps in Australia: What NAPLAN Reveals About Education Inequality in Australia. Race, Ethnicity and Education 16(1): 80–102.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Gray, J., and Q. Beresford. 2008. A ‘Formidable Challenge’: Australia’s Quest for Equity in Indigenous Education. Australian Journal of Education 52(2): 197–223.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Hattie, J. 2003. Teachers Make a Difference: What Is the Research Evidence? Accessed April 28, 2016. http://www.educationalleaders.govt.nz/Pedagogy-and-assessment/Building-effective-learning-environments/Teachers-Make-a-Difference-What-is-the-Research-Evidence

  • ———. 2009. Visible Learning: A Synthesis of Over 800 Meta-Analyses Relating to Achievement. London: Routledge.

    Google Scholar 

  • Heslop, J. 2003. Living and Teaching in Indigenous Communities. In Reform and Resistance in Indigenous Education: The Australian Experience, ed. Q. Beresford and G. Partington, 208–237. Perth: University of Western Australia Press.

    Google Scholar 

  • Hewitt, B., and M. Walter. 2014. Preschool Participation Among Indigenous Children in Australia. Family Matters 95: 41–50.

    Google Scholar 

  • Higgins, D., and S. Morley. 2014. Engaging Indigenous Parents in Their Children’s Education. Accessed April 28, 2016. http://www.aihw.gov.au/WorkArea/DownloadAsset.aspx?id=60129548210

  • Kaomea, J. 2012. Reconceptualizing Indigenous Parent Involvement in Early Educational Settings: Lessons from Native Hawaiian Preschool Families. The International Indigenous Policy Journal 3(4): 1–19.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Kickett-Tucker, C.S. 2009. Moorn (Black)? Djardak (White)? How Come I Don’t Fit in Mum? Exploring the Racial Identity of Australian Aboriginal Children and Youth. Health Sociology Review 18(1): 119–136.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Lea, T., H. Thompson, E. McRae-Williams, and A. Wegner. 2011. Policy Fuzz and Fuzzy Logic: Researching Contemporary Indigenous Education and Parent-School Engagement in North Australia. Journal of Education Policy 26(3): 321–339.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Lester, J., and G. Munns. 2011. Closing the Gap. In Teaching Indigenous Studies, 2nd ed., ed. R. Craven, 229–256. Crows Nest, NSW: Allen and Unwin.

    Google Scholar 

  • Mackay, R., and L. Myles. 1995. A Major Challenge for the Educational System: Indigenous Retention and Dropout. In First Nations Education in Canada: The Circle Unfolds, ed. M. Battiste and J. Barman, 157–178. Vancouver: University of British Columbia Press.

    Google Scholar 

  • MacLaren, S. 2011. Family education environment Australian Institute of Family Studies. The Longitudinal Study of Australian Children Annual Statistical Report 2010. Melbourne. Australian Institute of Family Studies: 71–79.

    Google Scholar 

  • Maher, M. 2010. Culturally Responsive Learning, Assessment and Evaluation Strategies for Indigenous Teacher Education Students in Remote Communities of the Northern Territory of Australia. Studies in Learning, Evaluation, Innovation and Development 7(2): 42–54.

    Google Scholar 

  • McInerney, D. 1989. Urban Indigenous Parents’ Views on Education: A Comparative Analysis. Journal of Intercultural Studies 10(2): 43–65.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • McInerney, D., H. Hinkley, M. Dowson, and S. Van Etten. 1998. Indigenous, Anglo and Immigrant Australian Students’ Motivational Beliefs About Personal Academic Success: Are Their Cultural Differences? Journal of Educational Psychology 90(4): 621–629.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Mooney, J., and R.G. Craven. 2013. A Critical Analysis of Core Aboriginal Studies: Seeding Success in Indigenous Australian Higher Education. In Seeding Success in Indigenous Australian Higher Education, ed. R. Craven and J. Mooney, 319–341. Bingly, UK: Emerald Group Publishing.

    Chapter  Google Scholar 

  • Muller, D. 2009. Parental Engagement: Social and Economic Effects. Accessed April 24, 2016. http://austparents.edu.au/2014/wp-content/uploads/Muller_Australian-Parents-Council_Parental-Engagement_Social-and-Economic-Effects_Final_20091.pdf

  • Munns, G., V. O’Rourke, and G. Bodkin-Andrews. 2013. Seeding Success: Schools that Work for Aboriginal Students. The Australian Journal of Indigenous Education 42(01): 1–11.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Nicklin-Dent, J., and E. Hatton. 1996. Education and Poverty: An Australian Primary School Case Study. Australian Journal of Education 40(1): 46–64.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • O’Shea, S., S. McMahon, A. Priestly, G. Bodkin-Andrewsand, and V. Harwood. 2016. We are History in the Making and We Are Walking Together to Change Things for the Better: Exploring the Flows and Ripples of Learning in a Mentoring Programme for Indigenous Young People. Education as Change.

    Google Scholar 

  • Parbury, N. 2011. A History of Aboriginal Education. In Teaching Aboriginal Studies, ed. R. Craven, 132–152. Crows Nest, NSW: Allen and Unwin.

    Google Scholar 

  • Parker, P.D., G. Bodkin-Andrews, H.W. Marsh, J. Jerrim, and I. Schoon. 2015. Will Closing the Achievement Gap Solve the Problem? An Analysis of Primary and Secondary Effects for Indigenous University Entry. Journal of Sociology 51(4): 1085–1102.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Prout Quicke, S., and N. Biddle. 2016. School (Non-) Attendance and ‘Mobile Cultures’: Theoretical and Empirical Insights from Indigenous Australia. Race Ethnicity and Education 1–15.

    Google Scholar 

  • Purdie, N., P. Tripcony, G. Boulton-Lewis, J. Fanshawe, and A. Gunstone. 2000. Positive Self-Identity for Indigenous Students and Its Relationship to School Outcomes. Accessed April 27, 2016. http://www.ieprojects.org.au/docs/learningcommunities/PSI_synth%20%20Positive%20self%20Identity%20Article.pdf

  • Rose, M. 2012. The ‘Silent Apartheid’ as the Practitioner’s Blindspot. In Indigenous and Torres Strait Islander Education: An Introduction for the Teaching Profession, 64–80, ed. K. Price. Cambridge: Cambridge University Press.

    Google Scholar 

  • Sarra, C. 2011. Strong and Smart—Towards a Pedagogy for Emancipation. Education for First Peoples. New York, USA: Routledge.

    Google Scholar 

  • Smith, B. 2011. Community Involvement. In Teaching Indigenous Studies, 2nd ed., ed. R. Craven, 194–120. Crows Nest, NSW: Allen and Unwin.

    Google Scholar 

  • South Australian Indigenous Education and Training Consultative Body. 2011. What Makes School-Community Engagement Work? Accessed May 15, 2016. http://saaetcb.demo.webez.biz/media/docs/saaetcb_schoolcommunityengagement_jan2011.pdf

  • SCRGSP, Steering Committee for the Review of Government Service Provision. 2014. Overcoming Indigenous Disadvantage: Key Indicators 2014. Accessed May 15, 2016. http://www.pc.gov.au/research/ongoing/overcoming-indigenous-disadvantage/key-indicators-2014

  • Stelmach, B. 2008. Five Indigenous Mothers’ Views on the Role of Parents in Secondary School Improvement. Journal of Educational Administration and Foundations 19(2): 1–18.

    Google Scholar 

  • Syme, D. 1973. Some Aspects of Home/School Relations. The Indigenous Child at School 1: 23–30.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • te Reile, K. 2006. Youth ‘At Risk’: Further Marginalising the Marginalised? Journal of Education Policy 21: 289–145.

    Google Scholar 

  • Tracey, D., R.G. Craven, A.S. Yeung, S. Tregeagle, J. Burnstein, and H. Stanley. 2015. A Place to Learn: Cultivating Engaging Learning Environments for Young Rural Aboriginal Australians. International Journal of Inclusive Education: 1–18.

    Google Scholar 

  • Walker, S., and D. Berthelsen. 2010. Social Inequalities and Parent Involvement in Children’ Education in the Early Years of School. In Delving into Diversity: An International Exploration of Issues of Diversity in Education, ed. V. Green and S. Cherrington, 139–149. New York: Nova Science Publishers.

    Google Scholar 

  • Wilson, C.S. 2016. Cultural Learning for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Children and Young People: Indigenous Knowledges and Perspectives in New South Wales Schools. PhD Thesis.

    Google Scholar 

  • Yunkaporta, T., and M. Kirby. 2011. Yarning up Indigenous Pedagogies: A Dialogue About Eight Aboriginal Ways of Learning. In Two Way Teaching and Learning: Toward Culturally Reflective and Relevant Education, ed. N. Purdie, G. Milgate, and H. Bell, 205–213. Victoria: Australian Council for Educational Research Press.

    Google Scholar 

Download references

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

Authors

Editor information

Editors and Affiliations

Copyright information

© 2017 The Author(s)

About this chapter

Cite this chapter

Trudgett, M., Page, S., Bodkin-Andrews, G., Franklin, C., Whittaker, A. (2017). Another Brick in the Wall? Parent Perceptions of School Educational Experiences of Indigenous Australian Children. In: Walter, M., Martin, K., Bodkin-Andrews, G. (eds) Indigenous Children Growing Up Strong. Palgrave Macmillan, London. https://doi.org/10.1057/978-1-137-53435-4_11

Download citation

  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1057/978-1-137-53435-4_11

  • Published:

  • Publisher Name: Palgrave Macmillan, London

  • Print ISBN: 978-1-137-53434-7

  • Online ISBN: 978-1-137-53435-4

  • eBook Packages: Social SciencesSocial Sciences (R0)

Publish with us

Policies and ethics