New publications

This new pamphlet on school education in England ‘provides an urgent, passionate and convincing account of what we need to do to make comprehensives work. It puts forward a strong argument that modern comprehensives are the right way to educate our children and that the obsession with choice, commercialisation and contestability is the wrong approach’ (from publisher’s description). See also Shaping the Education Bill – reaching for consensus, a paper published in December 2005 by a group of Labour Party MPs, described in a commentary by Melissa Benn in the The Guardian newspaper, and elsewhere, as an ‘alternative White Paper’.

This White Paper sets out our plans to radically improve the system; putting parents and the needs of their children at the heart of our schools, freeing up schools to innovate and succeed, and bringing in new dynamism and new providers. We will ensure that every school delivers an excellent education, that every child achieves to their potential, and that the system is increasingly driven by parents and choice. To make that happen we need an education system that is designed around the needs of the individual – with education tailored to the needs of each child and parents having a say in how schools are run. To achieve that we need to reform schools themselves so that they have the freedoms and flexibilities to deliver the tailored, choice driven education we all want (from publisher’s description). See also commentary on the implications for Australia’s Independent schools, in AISQ Briefings November/December 2005.

This book provides advice for literacy leaders in schools on ways to implement professional development for fellow staff. It suggests tailoring professional development programs to the current knowledge, practices and needs of teachers in the school. The book offers practical guidance, with reference to relevant research. Topics include: establishing a literacy room and resources for teachers; developing collaborative intervention strategies for struggling students; assessing students; creating, piloting and implementing programs to address key literacy areas; coaching teachers in new pedagogy and curriculum; time and budget management; finding resources for professional development; and leading teacher study groups. See description in Curriculum Corporation catalogue.

Following on from The Really Big Food Project, this classroom resource is designed to promote understanding of some of the cultural and religious beliefs practiced in Australia today. The book documents two students as they interview friends, family and neighbourhood individuals of Buddhist, Christian, Hindu, Islamic, Judaic, Shinto and Buddhist orientation about their daily lives. These aspects are described and illustrated, along with information about the respective religious ceremonies and rituals. The author endeavors to highlight the similarities between religious practices. See description in the Curriculum Corporation catalogue.

This book uses a hypothetical school scenario and a cast of fictional school staff to suggest a continuous improvement model for principals and teachers. The plan outlined focuses on increasing staff motivation and collaboration to create a shared vision and effort for improvement. Chapters cover key elements of the change process. Topics include deciding objectives, assessing the current situation with data, designing and implementing effective professional development, developing an action plan and incorporating accountability measures. Appendices suggest operating principles and tools to develop an action plan. (Adapted from publisher’s description.)