This research focused on the provision of education for disadvantaged young people through flexible learning programs in Australia. The overall goal of the project was to both assess and enhance the potential of flexible learning programs to contribute to marginalised young people's learning and wellbeing, as well as to national educational attainment and social inclusion goals. The research analysed publicly available documentation from more than 20 purposely selected programs, as well as conducting detailed fieldwork (observation on-site and interviews with various stakeholders) in eight of
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This research focused on the provision of education for disadvantaged young people through flexible learning programs in Australia. The overall goal of the project was to both assess and enhance the potential of flexible learning programs to contribute to marginalised young people's learning and wellbeing, as well as to national educational attainment and social inclusion goals. The research analysed publicly available documentation from more than 20 purposely selected programs, as well as conducting detailed fieldwork (observation on-site and interviews with various stakeholders) in eight of those programs. This generated insight into how they work and the outcomes they achieve, and led to the development of a model to understand flexible learning programs and support successful flexible learning provision, the Framework of Quality Flexible Learning Programs [FQFLP]. The model has four key dimensions representing the work of flexible learning programs: valued outcomes, actions, principles and conditions. Key findings include that: there are more than 900 flexible learning programs around Australia, educating more than 70,000 students each; there is evidence for very significant social and economic benefits for both young people and the wider community as a result of the work of flexible learning programs, and it is unlikely these benefits would accrue without these programs making investment into flexible learning programs worthwhile; staff are the greatest asset for these programs, building strong relationships that are the foundation of young people's engagement with learning in flexible learning programs; young people in flexible learning programs want to learn, and want access to the improved life opportunities that such learning enables; and flexible learning programs can serve as showcases of educational innovation.
The report concludes with implications for a wide range of stakeholders in relation to seven core issues: (1) a flexible learning sector; (2) financial and social returns on investment; (3) overall coherence and alignment; (4) evidence for success; (5) young people's input and strengths; (6) staff as the greatest asset; and (7) showcases of innovation.
Edited excerpts from publication.
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