A history of age grading in South Australian primary schools, 1875-1990 / Lynne Trethewey.

Abstract

This thesis seeks to elucidate the origins, nature and impact of age standards in the organisation of state-provided elementary schooling in South Australia from 1875 to 1990. The study traces the shift which occurred from ungraded schools to the classification and promotion of scholars according to attainment and then increasingly on the basis of chronological age. It also examines the introduction of specialist departments, teachers and pedagogy to better manage the youngest pupils.