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Cited by 88Indigenous Health, Education, and RightsIndigenous and Place-Based EducationMigration, Education, Indigenous Social Dynamics

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‘So, What is Wrong with Indigenous Education?’ Perspective, Position and Power Beyond a Deficit Discourse

Open access
Vass, Greg·2012·The Australian Journal of Indigenous Education

Abstract

It is the aim of this article to provoke debate and encourage greater scrutiny regarding the use and meaning of the expression ‘Indigenous education’ within the discursive practices, research and policy in Australian education. Drawing on Hall's (2007) development of ideas from Foucault that give rise to ‘Indigenous education’ being viewed as a ‘regime of truth’, it is my contention that the widespread and largely uncritical use of this expression is contributing to sustaining deficit assumptions regarding the engagement and outcomes of Indigenous students within Australian schools. To explore this concern, I will first ‘archaeologically’ excavate (Scheurich, 1997) the emergence of this ‘regime’ within the Australian setting. Following on from this, I will discuss and reflect upon recent debates associated with initiatives designed to ‘close the gap’ when comparing Indigenous and non-Indigenous student achievements in education. Given the changes inaugurated by the Labor-led ‘Education Revolution’ since 2007, this is a particularly pertinent line of inquiry to take up, with the focus of this article largely concerned with its impact in the Queensland setting.

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Cited by

Metadata

Authors
Vass, G.
Affiliations
The University of Queensland (AU)
Corresponding author
Vass, Greg
Venue
The Australian Journal of Indigenous Education
Published
2012-01-22
Volume
41
Issue
2
Pages
85-96
ISSN
  • 1326-0111 (ISSN-L)
  • 2049-7784
OpenAlex
W2064792261
Cited by
88
References
1
Citations by year
2026: 4 · 2025: 9 · 2024: 7 · 2023: 12 · 2022: 6 · 2021: 4 · 2020: 9 · 2019: 9 · 2018: 13 · 2017: 6 · 2016: 3 · 2015: 3 · 2014: 2 · 2013: 1
FWCI
2.20
Type
journal article
Language
en
Open access
Locations
  • The Australian Journal of Indigenous Education (publishedVersion, cc-by)
  • DOAJ (DOAJ: Directory of Open Access Journals) (submittedVersion)
  • Griffith Research Online (submittedVersion)
Topics
  • Social Sciences › Health › Indigenous Health, Education, and Rights
  • Social Sciences › Education › Indigenous and Place-Based Education
  • Social Sciences › Cultural Studies › Migration, Education, Indigenous Social Dynamics
Keywords
indigenous education, deficit discourse, regimes of truth, Michel Foucault, Indigenous students, educational revolution, Queensland, Australian education policy, indigenous identity

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