Open AccessEducation Myths as a Framework for Education Policy: Towards a New Myth
Author(s) -
Jocalyn Clark
Publication year - 2003
Publication title -
new zealand annual review of education
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
eISSN - 1178-3311
pISSN - 1171-3283
DOI - 10.26686/nzaroe.v0i13.1445
Subject(s) - mythology , democracy , survival of the fittest , set (abstract data type) , commodity , political science , sociology , education policy , public administration , economic growth , political economy , law , economics , higher education , history , computer science , politics , market economy , classics , evolutionary biology , biology , programming language
The idea of an “Education Myth” was offered by C. E. Beeby as an over-arching policy framework which would permit a coherent set of policies to be developed in a systematic way. This paper outlines exactly what an education myth is, and then considers three such myths in New Zealand's education history: 1877 and survival of the fittest; 1939 and equality of educational opportunity; and 1987 and education as a commodity. A fourth myth is proposed for 2003 onwards – educated citizens in a democratic society.