Introduction: Beyond Legitimation and Guardianship

Abstract

This opening chapter sets out the rationale of the book in terms, not only of the case for consulting, listening to and acting upon the perceptions and insights of children and young people regarding their schooling, but also the reasons why as advocates we should be cautious. Clearly the United Nations declaration on the rights of the child is a significant instrument that has been widely observed among many nations of the world. But its take-up has not always been accompanied by a careful and critical analysis of the problematics of power and authority that result from adults interacting with children and young people in determining policies and practices that affect them.

The chapter discusses the processes of consulting with children and young people and engaging them in participative inquiry within the context of current discourses regarding evidence based practice and what the term actually represents. It enjoins its readers to see beyond current instrumentalist notions of consultation designed to develop more ‘marketable’ products and asks instead that they consider ways in which engagement can reveal authentic and sometimes uncomfortable insights regarding schooling.