Understanding children and youth at risk : narratives of hope

Abstract

The Scope: This book looks at education as an important institution of civil society and a contested terrain. It strives co unravel the challenging reality of cultural, structural and pedagogical exclusion. Simultaneously, it foregrounds transformative action. Ultimately, the main interest of this book is the realisation of a genuinely inclusive education system and democratic society where real participation is extended to all of its members.

The Term: The term 'at risk' refers to children and youth who are in danger of failing at school and /or in making a successful transition to work. Within this volume, 'at risk' is situated at the interface of economic, social, community and family situations, genuine learning difficulties and learning styles and patterns incompatible with academic achievement. This book is written as an antidote to deficit models and personalised interpretations of underachievement (see Terry Lamb in this volume). It rejects the discourse of charity and replaces it with solidarity and entitlement based on the rights of citizenship. The papers that constitute this book should serve as reminders that social and educational policies and practices are neither neutral nor static.