This book analyses education policy trends that affects performing culture, academic excellence and global competitiveness in schools. It focuses on students’ cultural identities and engagement, inclusive schooling, eliminating discrimination and discriminatory practices in the classroom, and relevant values education. 

One of the major effects of cultural and economic forces of globalisation is that schools and school leaders, like other educational organisations, having modelled their goals and strategies on the entrepreneurial business model. They are compelled to embrace the corporate ethos of efficiency, accountability, performance, and profit-driven managerialism. This corporate ethos reflects a dominant neo-liberal ideology, which exerts a powerful influence on major discourses of democracy, equality, social justice, and education, both locally and globally.

By examining the education policy shifts in the use of major discourses concerning performing culture and education, this book offers a comprehensive synthesis of the intersecting and diverse discourses of globalisation, cultural diversity, performing culture, and education. It provides innovative ideas concerning the future directions for authentic models of globalisation, performance culture and students’ motivation.

Joseph Zajda is a Professor at the Faculty of Education and Arts, Australian Catholic University (Melbourne Campus). He specializes in globalization and education policy reforms, social justice, history education and values education. He has written and edited 45 books and over 150 book chapters and articles on globalization and education policy, higher education and curriculum reforms. He is also the Editor of the 24-volume book series Globalisation, Comparative Education and Policy Research (Springer, 2009 & 2021). Recent publications include: Zajda, J (Ed). (2020a). Globalisation, ideology and neo-liberal higher education reform. Dordrecht: Springer. Zajda, J. (Ed). (2020b). Human rights education globally. Dordrecht: Springer. Zajda, J. (Ed). (2020c). Globalisation, Ideology and Education Reforms: Emerging paradigms. Dordrecht: Springer; Zajda, J. (2018). He is an Elected Fellow of the Australian College of Educators (FACE).