Becoming somebody: A constructivist grounded theory of marginalised young people re-engaging with education through an alternative school

Submission note: A thesis submitted in total fulfilment of the requirements for the degree of Doctor of Philosophy to the School of Psychology and Public Health, College of Science, Health and Engineering, La Trobe University, Bundoora.

Thesis with publications.

Early school leaving exacerbates social marginalisation and limits a young person’s life chances. In Australia, one in five young people do not complete school. A growing body of evidence highlights that multiple and complex factors contribute to educational disengagement and re-engagement. However, there is only limited research on the ways in which young people themselves articulate the processes involved in their disengagement and re-engagement with education over time. Using a constructivist grounded theory approach, this study examines the experiences of students attending The Kardinia School1 , an alternative education setting in Melbourne, Victoria. Data were gathered through interviews with students and parents, an online survey of students, a focus group with six staff, and approximately 200 hours of participant observation. The findings of this study highlight the significance of relational and affective processes in facilitating student educational engagement and inclusion. Themes of care, belonging and trust were central to students’ narratives about their experiences of both disengagement and re-engagement in school. Students experienced a shift in their views of themselves and their future as they moved from facing an uncertain future, to finding their place in a school where they felt accepted and cared for, a process many students described as ‘becoming somebody’. This positive experience of social inclusion at Kardinia helped students to build a sense of hope for their future in all aspects of social life – employment, family and community. The findings demonstrate the benefit of the social justice approach to education central to The Kardinia School model in creating an emotional and social foundation that is necessary for students to build and maintain engagement in education. Keywords: Alternative education, becoming somebody, belonging, care, engagement, hope, inclusion, marginalised, social inclusion, social justice, trust.