1. A qualitative case study of innovation and student participation in school decision making Sarah Quinn, Bachelor of Education (Honours) University of South Australia

2. Innovation and ‘Student Voice’ in the Learning Environment ICSEA category lower than the national average Large portion of students from disadvantaged backgrounds Transformation of school organisation with heterogeneous classes (R-7) Whole school timetable Transformation based on the pillars of ‘student choice’ and ‘student voice’ Traditional SRC innovation to Student Parliament program

3. Research Methodology Qualitative paradigm Explanatory case study (Yin 2003) Realistic Evaluation (Pawson & Tilley 2000) Context + Mechanism = Outcome Document Analysis Focus Group Interviews Transcribed and analysed according to indexed themes from theoretical framework Axial coding

4. The ‘Student Parliament’ Model

5. Key Findings of the Research ‘Pyramid of Voice’ (Mitra & Gross 2009) Teachers and students ‘see each other differently’ ‘Teacher authenticity’ (Fielding 2004) Interesting, relevant ideas for student participation with specific purposes Well defined structures and procedures Benefits for all students

6. Why research? Exceeded my own expectations Expanded my own knowledge of Educational Innovations in South Australia and around the world Research is about people! Excited about contributing to the field in a small way Data management Data Analysis Writing, writing, writing!