School choice, privatisation and marketisation have been a part of education policy for some time in Australia. While some people believe private schooling offers a 'better education', others claim that the benefits to students are not so clear and that other factors shape learning outcomes (see: http://www.smh.com.au/national/education/private-schools-no-guarantee-of-higher-naplan-scores-study-finds XXXXXXXXXX2vf63.html).
Conduct your own investigation into the link between private schools and educational performance using the My School website to compare schools. Your research question is: Is there a clear link between private or selective schooling and high academic results, or are there other factors at play? Write your investigation into a 1800 word report that uses at least 7 readings from topics 1-5. Your report must include: an introduction; a presentation of your data (e.g. write paragraphs, tables and/or graphs); and a discussion of your findings. You may include other sub-headings.
Reading list
Savage, G XXXXXXXXXXNeoliberalism, education and curriculum. In B.Gobby& R. Walker (eds). Powers of curriculum: Sociological perspectives on education (pp XXXXXXXXXXCHAPTER1,6, 13 and 7
Dinham, S. (2014). The worst of both worlds: How the US and UK are influencing education in Australia. 2014 Walter Neal Oration. Australian College of Educators. Perth. 28th October 2014
Polesal, J., Rice, S. & Dulfer, N XXXXXXXXXXThe impact ofhigh-stakestesting on curriculum and pedagogy: a teacher perspective from Australia. Journal of education policy, 29(5), XXXXXXXXXX.
Forsey, M XXXXXXXXXXNo choice but tochoose:selecting schools in Western Australia. In M. Forsey, S. Davies, & G. Walford (Eds.), The globalisation of school choice?
Teese, R XXXXXXXXXXIs growth of private schooling good for raising standard for all children? Dissent, 33, 30-33.
Fitzgerald, S., Stacey, M., McGrath-Champ, S.,Parding, K., &Rainnie, A XXXXXXXXXXDevolution, market dynamics and the IndependentPublic Schoolinitiative in Western Australia: 'winning back' what has been lost? Journal of education policy, Online First, 1-20.
Keddie, A., Mills, M &Pendergast, D. (2011). Fabricating an identity in neo-liberal times: performing schooling as 'number one'
Smyth, J XXXXXXXXXXImproving schools in poor areas:Itsnot about theorganisation, structures orprivatisation. 
Proctor, H. & Weaver, H XXXXXXXXXXCreating an educational home: mothering for schooling in the Australian Women's Weekly, XXXXXXXXXX
Vincent, C. & Maxwell, C XXXXXXXXXXParenting priorities and pressures: furtheringunderstandingof ‘concerted cultivation’.
Bottrell, D XXXXXXXXXXSchools and communities fit for purpose. In Proctor, H.,Brownless, P., & Freebody, P. (eds). Controversies in education: orthodoxy and heresy in policy and practice (27-38).