In this paper, we draw upon the experiences of a group of young people who have been excluded from mainstream schools in two Australian states to provide an account of the ways in which they have found their way to education in educational sites that are variously referred to as ‘flexible learning centres', ‘second chance schools' and ‘alternative schools'. Whilst often clashing with school authorities in their original schools, these young people described how, when given the opportunity, they were able to engage in more meaningful learning in environments that recognised and accommodated their personal circumstances, and avoided authoritarian rule. A question we address is: What kinds of educational experiences facilitate ‘meaningful learning’ for these students?

Item Type:	Refereed Article
Keywords:	alternative schools, second chance schools, social justice and education, meaningful learning
Research Division:	Education
Research Group:	Specialist Studies in Education
Research Field:	Specialist Studies in Education not elsewhere classified
Objective Division:	Education and Training
Objective Group:	Other Education and Training
Objective Field:	Equity and Access to Education
Author:	te Riele, K (Professor Kitty te Riele)
ID Code:	113826
Year Published:	2015
Web of Science® Times Cited:	13
Deposited By:	Peter Underwood Centre for Educational Attainment
Deposited On:	2017-01-24
Last Modified:	2017-04-20
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