What is Philosophy in Schools?

What was once called Philosophy for Children has now grown into a sub-discipline of philosophy with its own history, traditions, and pedagogy, and incorporates what is variously called collaborative, inquiry-based learning through philosophy, philosophical inquiry in the classroom, reflective education and, generally, philosophy in schools as well as related methodologies which incorporate Socratic teaching.

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What is FAPSA

The Federation of Australasian Philosophy in Schools Associations (FAPSA) is a professional non-profit organisation designed to facilitate the educational aims and objectives of the National Council of Associates from Australia and New Zealand, as well as Singapore.

FAPSA is an umbrella organisation with a Federation structure. Its purpose is to facilitate the aims and objectives of its Associates, i.e., any association, group or organisation established for the purpose of promoting philosophy in schools, and recognised in writing by the National Council of FAPSA as being affiliated with the Federation.

The National Council, which is comprised of authorised representatives from each of the Associates, deals with non-routine or controversial matters between FAPSA Annual General Meetings (AGM), to ensure that all Associates are informed of situations where there is potential conflict within the Federation and to attempt to resolve such conflict in order to reach decisions by a majority of representatives.

The AGM is the supreme decision-making body of FAPSA. The AGM is constituted by a maximum of four representatives for each Associate that has nominated a National Council member. Its decisions are binding on the Executive and the National Council.

The Executive runs the routine, day-to-day affairs of FAPSA within the policies of, and in accordance with the decisions of, the AGM and the National Council.

To view more information on a particular local, regional or State Associate of FAPSA within Australasia, locate the place of the Association in the drop down menu to your right and click. There you will find general information and contact details. Some homepages have an extended navigation menu to the right which links you to more information about the Association. Others will have their own external websites with links from their homepage to take you there.

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Promoting philosophy in schools in Australasia: Aims and objectives of FAPSA

The aims of FAPSA are to assist its Associates to develop and promote philosophy in schools, in order to encourage the practice of independent skills in reasoning, and in thinking reflectively, critically, and creatively to think effectively and make sound judgments.

The Federation’s objectives are to promote collaborative, inquiry-based learning through philosophy in classroom communities of inquiry, and to seek support and approval for philosophy in schools from all institutions operating in the field of education, with particular emphasis on matters of national and international interest. To achieve these objectives FAPSA provides professional development and training and continuing support for teachers. It also supports its Associates in pursuing these objectives by liaising with its Associates through the establishment of a network by organising meetings, online discussion forums, and conferences in Australasia, and by supporting their activities at any national or international forum to facilitate the exchange of information.

To achieve these objectives, the Federation recognises the importance of: identifying places for philosophy within the school curriculum, developing suitable classroom resources, publishing articles in journals and other forums, as well as books, and maintaining research in the theory and practice of philosophy in schools. Further objectives, therefore, include the seeking of funding for educational research activities, whether directly or by way of scholarship, or otherwise where such activities are considered to be consistent with the aims and objectives of the Federation.

For a full list of FAPSA's aims and objectives as stated in the ‘Constitution of the Federation of Australasian Philosophy in Schools Associations’ click here.

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Conferences

FAPSA runs two kinds of conferences, each held biennially. Years with even numbers host the FAPSA Strategic Planning and Development Conference (or mini-conference) to discuss matters in relation to furthering the aims and objectives of the FAPSA National Council. Years with odd numbers host the FAPSA Biennial Australasian Philosophy in Schools Conference. The focus of this conference is on the presentation of research, invited national and international speakers, and practical workshops.

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International impact

FAPSA has links to international philosophy in schools organisations including the International Council of Philosophical Inquiry with Children (ICPIC), an organisation founded by philosophers and teachers interested in engaging school students in philosophical inquiry. Some of the Federation’s members are active in the promotion of philosophy in education through organisations such as the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) and the Asia-Pacific Philosophy Education Network for Democracy (APPEND).

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Professional development and training

Professional development and training is available through FAPSA and its Associates.

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FAPSA Australasian journal of philosophy in education

Critical & Creative Thinking is an international journal published under the auspices of FAPSA. The focus of the journal is philosophical inquiry with school-age students. The journal performs two roles. The first is to publish scholarly research concerning the theory and practice of philosophical inquiry at school level. The second is to publish reports of practice, comments on resources, suggestions and ideas about philosophising with school students and so forth, with a view to encouraging professional interchange among those interested in philosophical inquiry with school-age students.

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