Society, Schools, and Progress in Australia focuses on the principles, methodologies, practices, and measures employed in education in Australia. The book first offers information on historical influences and organization of public education. Discussions focus on local communities and schools, teaching in state schools, administration within states, educational policy, secondary education, geographical and social background, centralization, question of state aid, and background of the education acts. The book then ponders on schools and society, pattern of higher education, and teachers. Topics include economic change, organization of technical education, future development of technical colleges, adult education, diversification of tertiary education, teaching in universities, and reorganization of secondary education. The text examines education and national growth, including changing balance of the federation, social teaching, quality of teachers, aspects of national development, and social change and educational change. The manuscript is a dependable reference for students, teachers, and educators wanting to study the form of education in Australia.

Historical and sociological perspectives on Australian schooling, focusing on the social structures and processes which explain the Australian education system. The fourteen chapters are based on major topics within the sociology of education and are written by specialists in this field.

This analysis of Australian schooling relates international sociological research to the actual experiences of teachers in the classroom, and sets those experiences in the wider context of the Australian school system and of the socioeconomic conditions which shape children before they even enter school. From this basis of understanding, it shows how theory can be used to help teachers to reflect on and improve what they do in school. Approachably written, it will interest not only educationalists with a special interest in Australian and comparative education, but also all those who are interested in creating a better and fairer education system for all children.