Re‐asserting the place of context in explaining student (under‐)achievement

Mills, C. and Gale, T. (2011) Re‐asserting the place of context in explaining student (under‐)achievement. British Journal of Sociology of Education, 32(2), pp. 239-256. (doi: 10.1080/01425692.2011.547309)

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Abstract

One popular view of student achievement is that the quality of teaching students receive plays an important part in whether or not they do well at school. In this article we draw attention to ‘context’ as a complementary explanation, particularly regarding achievement differences between students from different socio‐economic backgrounds. In making these observations, we utilise data from one Australian secondary school located in an economically depressed rural community. Drawing on the insights of Bourdieu, our focus is on the broader social and economic influences that can adversely position students and schools, as well as work to inform the institutional stance that schools take in relation to their students.

Item Type:Articles
Status:Published
Refereed:Yes
Glasgow Author(s) Enlighten ID:Gale, Professor Trevor
Authors: Mills, C., and Gale, T.
College/School:College of Social Sciences > School of Education
Journal Name:British Journal of Sociology of Education
Publisher:Routledge
ISSN:0142-5692
ISSN (Online):1465-3346

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