Multi layered narratives and changing identities: making sense of student experience

Despite decades of research, inequalities still exist in the Australian education system, as in Western countries in general. Research into the matter has taken many directions with parents, teachers and children themselves all coming under close scrutiny (Hore and Ballantyne 2006, Darian-Smith and Factor 2005, Chin and Phillips 2004, Taylor et al 2004, Dodici et al 2003, Rowe 2003, Divine 2002, Edwards and Aldred 2002). When a child fails to thrive in the classroom cause is often sourced to an individual such as the teacher, the parent or the child itself. I suggest a narrow focus on the individual is perhaps one of the reasons for continued educational inequality and is the direct result of peoples' theories or beliefs about the 'self'.