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Defining and assessing the school readiness of Australian Indigenous children

McTurk, Nicholas J., Robinson, Gary W., Lea, Tess, Nutton, Georgie and Carapetis, Jonathan R. (2011). Defining and assessing the school readiness of Australian Indigenous children. Australasian Journal of Early Childhood,36(1):69-76.

Document type: Journal Article

IRMA ID jsingletonxPUB8
Title Defining and assessing the school readiness of Australian Indigenous children
Author McTurk, Nicholas J.
Robinson, Gary W.
Lea, Tess
Nutton, Georgie
Carapetis, Jonathan R.
Journal Name Australasian Journal of Early Childhood
Publication Date 2011
Volume Number 36
Issue Number 1
ISSN 1836-9391   (check CDU catalogue open catalogue search in new window)
Scopus ID 2-s2.0-84878403017
Start Page 69
End Page 76
Total Pages 8
Place of Publication Australia
Publisher Early Childhood Australia Inc.
HERDC Category C1 - Journal Article (DIISR)
Abstract The research evidence that underpins the school readiness of Indigenous Australian children is reviewed in this article, followed by identification of issues requiring research attention. Two key questions are considered: 1. How is school readiness defined and how applicable are definitions to Indigenous contexts? 2. What methods of school readiness assessment are applied to Indigenous children and are the tools appropriate or effective? General definitions of school readiness are outlined. An ecological view defines school readiness as ready services, schools, communities and families. This view is scrutinised in detail to consider whether services, schools and communities are ready to promote Indigenous children's education. Extended families are pivotal social constructions in many Indigenous contexts. The extent to which this is recognised in the ecological view of school readiness is assessed. Thereafter, the methods of assessing children's school readiness are reviewed, highlighting the shortfall in techniques specifically designed and validated for Indigenous Australians and the variable applicability of the techniques currently in use.
 
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Created: Fri, 17 Jan 2014, 01:03:53 CST