New publications

Focus on Inquiry covers ways to plan and assess inquiry-based units in the K–7 classroom. This new edition builds on current research into learning and pedagogy, the authors’ continued experiences, and the renewed interest in inquiry as a way to facilitate student learning. It provides short classroom snapshots and in-depth sample units illustrating 'the what and the how' of each different type of inquiry. New material on assessment, planning and questioning is supplemented with practical lists, photocopiable resources and activities. The title, available from June, can now be pre-ordered. For details see publisher's description.

Eight themes arising from the results of a two-year study of 'early-adopter' schools working toward implementing the New Zealand Curriculum (NZC) are outlined in this report. Based on trends drawn from case study data, the identified themes, seen as integral to current and future efforts toward curriculum implementation, include schools' interpretation of the NZC, methods of professional development, the importance of principal leadership to school success, the time needed for curriculum implementation, the engagement of parents and community, and the move to an integrated and inquiry-based curriculum. View report.

The results from the 2007 Trends in International Mathematics and Science Study (TIMSS) are outlined in this report, which looks at the achievement levels of Year 8 students from 49 countries, and Year 4 students from 36 countries. Year 4 Australian students performed above average in both Mathematics and Science, and Year 8 students performed above average for Mathematics, and at average levels for Science. However, Australian students failed to perform at the level of students from Asian countries, and the gap between Indigenous and non-Indigenous student performance has increased. View report.

The report expands on previous research into the development of support structures for Chicago's high achieving students. It analyses the academic results and study paths of top performing high school graduates. The report looks at the programs and qualifications of these graduates, and at mismatches between these students' credentials and their subsequent tertiary placements. Appendixes include detailed data on students' demographics, program and school achievement indicators, and students' preferred versus actual tertiary institutions. Full text is available online.

The achievements and performance of the Department of Education and Children's Services, South Australia, for 2008 are outlined in this report, which contains details of the Department's forthcoming strategic plans, including an Indigenous strategy, and key focus areas. Performance relating to topics including access to learning, engagement and wellbeing, strong beginnings for children, and quality teaching are included, as are detailed statistics relating to education and early childhood services. View report.

The Chicago Renaissance 2010 program, which aims to create 100 new schools by 2010, is the focus of this report, which analyses and documents the early outcomes and implementation issues of the first 23 schools created under the project. Student demographic and achievement data are used to outline the backgrounds of students attending these schools and their learning outcomes. Practices such as data-driven decision making, building teacher capacity, parental engagement, and moves toward instructional improvement are covered. View report.