1. Conceptualising Social Justice. Theories of justice. The concepts of 'equity' and 'equality' in education. From 'equity' and 'equality of opportunity' to 'social justice'. Alternative views of social justice. Conclusion -- 2. Social Justice Policies and Education. Commonwealth policies. National policies. State policies -- 3. Social Justice and Education Experiences. Social justice in education and Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islanders. Social justice in education and immigrant Australians. Social justice in education and poverty. Social justice in education and students with special needs. Social justice in education and gender equity. Social justice in education and rurality and isolation -- 4. Social Justice and Educational Risk. Conceptualising social justice for students at risk -- 5. Summary and Conclusions: Reconceptualising Social Justice. Social justice and educational expenditure: The government/non-government debate. Equity and excellence. Towards a definition of social justice. Strategies to promote social justice. Concluding comments
Summary
Examines theories of justice and historical perspectives on concepts of equity and equality; reviews Commonwealth national and state education policies and social justice as they relate to schooling; includes experiences of disadvantaged groups; offers a reconceptualization of the concept of social justice