What are young people saying about disengaging from mainstream secondary schooling in Aotearoa-New Zealand? (2015)

Type of Content
Theses / DissertationsThesis Discipline
SociologyDegree Name
Master of ArtsPublisher
University of CanterburyLanguage
EnglishCollections
Abstract
Young people disengage from mainstream secondary schooling for a variety of complex reasons. In the thesis, I explore young people's talk to investigate what these reasons are and I use voice as a research approach to hear first-hand how young people feel about leaving school early. In collaboration with the youth coaches from Te Runanga o Nga Maata Waka, (Nga Maata Waka) an indigenous Youth Service NEET (not in education, employment or training) provider, we gathered young people's voices as shared knowledge. For Nga Maata Waka these voices offer an opportunity to explore policy and practice implications in the Youth Service NEET environment and for me, so I could understand the constraining and enabling or push/pull factors of disengagement from mainstream secondary schooling. To guide and support me throughout this collaborative journey I draw on multiple sociological theories and methodologies such as Kaupapa Māori, critical ethnography and symbolic interactionism. To analyse their voices I use multiple methods such as the Listening Guide of Carol Gilligan, thematic analysis and elements of discourse analysis. The voices in this thesis add to the ongoing debate of disengagement, by suggesting young people are sensitive towards their unsuccessful schooling identities. I also gathered talk from the staff at Nga Maata Waka who offer their operational perspectives of working in a Youth Service NEET environment. From their talk the following themes emerged-the importance of relationships, the ethos and role of the youth coach and the voice of knowing, which connects with the important concepts 'silence' and 'silencing'. I address these two concepts in the ways we, as others, with our voice of knowing, intentionally or unintentionally speak on the behalf of young people and influence their choice to disengage from mainstream secondary schooling.
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Positive youth development through education: Addressing issues of dis/engagement in Aotearoa/New Zealand schools
Bruce J; Clelland T; Macfarlane S; Mikaere-Wallis N; Ruddenklau K; Taula J; Taula I (Te Ora Hou Aotearoa, 2014)Young people disengage from schooling for a range of complex reasons, and steps toward re-engagement are also often complex. This resource provides insight into factors leading to dis/engagement, and suggests a range of ... -
Positive youth development through education: Addressing issues of dis/engagement in Aotearoa/New Zealand schools
Bruce J; Clelland T; Macfarlane S; Mikaere-Wallis N; Ruddenklau K; Taula J; Taula I (Te Ora Hou Aotearoa, 2014)Young people disengage from schooling for a range of complex reasons, and steps toward re-engagement are also often complex. This resource provides insight into factors leading to dis/engagement, and suggests a range of ... -
The enduring effect of exemplary teachers of Aotearoa New Zealand’s most disengaged secondary school students : an ideology of hope
Maitland, Rachel (University of Canterbury, 2020)In the short term, disengagement from education is linked with young people participating in high-risk, antisocial behaviours. In the long term, disengagement from education points to serious, ongoing health and social ...