Recent official reports have advocated that schools reformulate their curricula in terms of the future pathways of their graduates, and redefine their assessment criteria in terms of the competencies demanded by the restructuring of the Australian economy. ‘Pathways’ is interpreted by some as a ‘human capital’ metaphor for measuring educational outcomes in terms of economic purpose. The metaphor also seems to assume that genuine pathways already exist or can be readily constructed. This article reports on extensive consultation with five schools in three states to test the implementation of pathways goals within school programs. These schools initiated changes for 1993 to provide structures that link in-school and post-school pathways for their students. They apply a pathways focus to curriculum and school organisation, which provides a model for future school practice.
Abbott-ChapmanJ.HughesP.WyldC. (1991). Improving access of disadvantaged youth to higher education. Canberra: AGPS
2.
AinleyJ.BattenM.MillerH. (1984). Patterns of retention in Australian government schools. Hawthorn, Vic.: ACER
3.
Australian Education Council Review Committee (B. Finn, Chair). (1991). Young people's participation in post-compulsory education and training: Report. Canberra: AGPS
4.
Australian National Opinion Polls. (1988). A survey of community attitudes to Commonwealth Employment, Education and Training programs. Canberra: AGPS
5.
BattenM. (1989). Year 12: Students' expectations and experiences. Hawthorn, Vic.: ACER
6.
Board of Studies. (1991). Implementation of curriculum initiatives. SydneyAuthor
7.
Board of Studies. (1992). Higher School Certificate pathways. SydneyAuthor
8.
BraithwaiteJ. (1988). Disadvantaged students and their parents' perceptions of education and schooling in the post-compulsory years. Curriculum Perspectives, 8 (2), 20–29
Committee of Inquiry into Labour Market Programs (P. Kirby, Chair). (1985). Report. Canberra: AGPS
13.
CummingJ. (1992). Resourceful communities: Integrating education, training and work for young people in rural Australia. Canberra: Australian Curriculum Studies Association
14.
Department of Employment, Education and Training (DEET). (1988). Taking part—educational participation in the 1980s. Canberra: AGPS
15.
Department of Industrial Relations. (1992). Workplace bargaining—the first 100 agreements. Canberra: AGPS
16.
DixW. (1985). Australian industry—challenges for the future. Practising Manager, 6 (1), 4–7
17.
DwyerP.WilsonB. (1991). Structured pathways for young people: A comparative study of youth policy in Australia, United States and Sweden (Working Paper No. 6). Melbourne: University of Melbourne, Youth Research Centre
18.
Employment and Skills Formation Council (L. Carmichael, Chair). (1992). The Australian Vocational Certificate training system: Report. Canberra: National Board of Employment, Education and Training
19.
FenshamP. (Ed.). (1986). Alienation from schooling. London: Routledge & Kegan Paul
20.
HoldsworthR. (1986). Student participation and the Participation and Equity Program (PEP Discussion Paper No. 2). Canberra: Canberra Publishing and Printing
21.
HoldsworthR. (1992). A string through the maze. Melbourne: University of Melbourne, Youth Research Centre
22.
HoldenE.DwyerP. (1992). Making the break—leaving school early (Working Paper No. 8)Melbourne: University of Melbourne, Youth Research Centre
23.
JohnstonK.WhiteV. (1989). A program in action—changing practice in the Disadvantaged Schools Program project. Sydney: Macquarie University
24.
LevinH.M. (1984). Improving productivity through education and technology, Stanford, CA: Stanford University
25.
Mayer Committee (E. Mayer, Chair). (1992). Employment-related key competencies: A proposal for consultation. Melbourne: Author
26.
MeadeP. (1981). The educational experience of Sydney High School students (Report No. 2). Canberra: AGPS
27.
MilliganS.ThomsonK.Ashenden, & Associates. (1992). Listening to girls: A report … for the Australian Education Council. Carlton, Vic.: Curriculum Corporation
28.
PowerC. (1984). Factors influencing retentivity and satisfaction with secondary schooling. Australian Journal of Education, 28, 115–125
29.
Taskforce on Pathways in Education and Training (I. Deveson, Chair). (1992a). Imformation paper. Melbourne: Department of School Education
30.
Taskforce on Pathways in Education and Training (I. Deveson, Chair). (1992b). Report. Melbourne: Department of School Education
31.
WilliamsT.HarselY.ClancyJ.MillerH.GreenwoodC. (1987). Participation in education. Hawthorn, Vic.: ACER
32.
WilsonB.WynJ. (1987). Shaping futures: Youth action for livelihood. Sydney: Allen & Unwin
33.
WilsonB.WynJ.DwyerR.StewartF. (1989). Pathways, personal issues, public participation (Research Report No. 1)Melbourne: University of Melbourne, Youth Research Centre
