The report makes a significant contribution to expanding the evidence base on the role that education/lifelong learning can play in overcoming disadvantage. It does so by addressing a number of other interrelated barriers to participation that can lock people into a cycle of disadvantage.

The financial barrier to tertiary education is a recognised human rights issue (Human Rights and Equal Opportunity Commission (HREOC) 2000). Literature confirms that many regional young people cannot access Youth Allowance income support due to stringent eligibility criteria, suggesting causation to low regional tertiary participation.

The article examines the importance of effective secondary education for all children as Australian society embraces globalisation. In a global era, where societal development will rely on the knowledge and skills of the workforce, an effective education will become even more important for socio-economic engagement and equality. Students from disadvantaged backgrounds are the most vulnerable to globalisation as they are less likely to achieve academically or go on to benefit from the restructured neo-liberal economy.

Parent and autism groups say Georgina is among a growing number of students who are not adequately supported in their education by the (VIC) state government.

According to a report by the Australian Council for Educational Research (ACER), Indigenous students remain overrepresented at the lower levels and underrepresented at the upper levels of proficiency. Performance of Indigenous students has not improved over time.

Engaging social and professional communities around students with high educational needs has come to be seen as an active protective process for these students. This paper examines the role of state and local agencies (education, health, families, communities, and criminal justice) in documenting but not altering student trajectories towards life failure.