When a school offers hope: An initial report of research in a special school for behaviour disordered students

Conference item


Vallance, Roger. (2010). When a school offers hope: An initial report of research in a special school for behaviour disordered students. In S. Howard (Ed.). AARE 2010 Conference Proceedings. Australia: Australian Association for Research in Education. pp. 1 - 12
AuthorsVallance, Roger
Abstract

This paper reports the first findings of an ethnographic research and evaluation project undertaken over two years in a school for behaviour disordered students in Sydney. These students are at-risk of school exclusion, and have frequently experienced short-term exclusion from more than one school. The John Berne School is the only such school within the Catholic system, and it is privately run by a Catholic Religious Order. This paper reports the experiences and cognitions of a graduating class of students, Yr 10 2009. In 2009 there were 12 students, all but one agreeing to be involved in this research. This project explores their understandings of their recent history and educational prospects, as well as their reflections on their own personal growth, using pen-and-paper survey and an individual interview. Additionally, this paper includes the reflections of a small group of parents who chose to be part of the research data collection by participating in a face-to-face interview. The interview data were analysed using NVivo 8. Results from the project indicate that the students marked their development as individuals as well as the achievement of the School Certificate, and expressed high regard for employment or further study. A number of students were able to reflect on significant behaviour changes in the previous couple of years while at this special school. Students identify the central roles of good relationships with staff and a diversified curriculum in helping them towards achievement at school. This research is significant because it focuses on a much under-researched group, Special Schools. Special Schools within the Catholic education system are seldom researched, this study being the first such conducted in New South Wales. This Special School is focused on addressing the educational disadvantage of a marginalised group; students with learning disabilities, behaviour disorders and contingent personal, family and social issues.

Year2010
PublisherAustralian Association for Research in Education
Web address (URL)https://www.aare.edu.au/publications-database.php/6102/when-a-school-offers-hope-an-initial-report-of-research-in-aspecialschoolfor-behaviour-disordered-st
Open accessOpen access
Publisher's version
Page range1 - 12
ISBN1324-9320
Research GroupSchool of Education
Place of publicationAustralia
EditorsS. Howard
Permalink -

https://acuresearchbank.acu.edu.au/item/8q5qw/when-a-school-offers-hope-an-initial-report-of-research-in-a-special-school-for-behaviour-disordered-students

  • 95
    total views
  • 49
    total downloads
  • 0
    views this month
  • 0
    downloads this month
These values are for the period from 19th October 2020, when this repository was created.

Export as

Related outputs

Community based rugby referees' experiences with recruitment and retention
Baldwin, Chris and Vallance, Roger. (2016). Community based rugby referees' experiences with recruitment and retention. International Sports Studies. 38(1), pp. 49-63. https://doi.org/10.30819/iss.38-1.05
An online professional network to support teachers' information and communication technology development
Maher, Damian, Sanber, Shukri, Cameron, Leanne, Keys, Phil and Vallance, Roger. (2013). An online professional network to support teachers' information and communication technology development. In H Carter, M Gosper and J Hedberg (Ed.). Electric Dreams. Proceedings of ASCILITE 2013. Australia: Macquarie University. pp. 526 - 530
Effective engagement of host employers for work placements
Vallance, Roger and Palmer, Ian. (2012). Effective engagement of host employers for work placements. VOCAL: the Australian Journal of Vocational Education and Training in School. 9(2011-2012), pp. 58 - 66.
A Melanesian research methodology
Vallance, Roger. (2012). A Melanesian research methodology. In J. Wright (Ed.). Joint AARE/APERA Inernational Conference. Sydney, NSW, Australia 2012 Australia: Australian Association for Research in Education. pp. 1 - 16
When a school offers hope
Vallance, Roger. (2011). When a school offers hope. Journal of Catholic School Studies. 83(2), pp. 30 - 42.
Implications of conducting naturalistic research in multiple sites
Pereira, Mary Delfin and Vallance, Roger. (2008). Implications of conducting naturalistic research in multiple sites. Journal of Educational Enquiry.