What's new

Update on My School website

A range of media this week have discussed issues surrounding the Australian Government's My School website. See comments by Peter Hill, CEO of ACARA, reported in an article 26 March 2010 in The Sydney Morning Herald. See also earlier article and related article in The Sydney Morning Herald both 25 March 2010; report and related report on ABC News also 25 March 2010; and article in The Examiner, 23 March 2010.

Further discussion of draft history curriculum

This week there has been further public discussion on the draft national history curriculum. See article in The Sydney Morning Herald 25 March 2010 and article in The Australian 23 March 2010.

Article discusses the place of grammar in the draft English curriculum

An article in The Sydney Morning Herald 21 March 2010 has discussed the place of grammar in the national English curriculum, covering issues including workforce preparation and social equity.

Stephen Heppel talks on 21st-century education

On Thursday 25 March 2010 Education Services Australia presented an interactive webcast with education expert Stephen Heppel. The webcast addressed the issue of what can be learnt from other countries in creating 21st-century learning environments, and the resources that would be needed to support these practices. A podcast of the event can be downloaded from a dedicated page.

Update on Tasmania Tomorrow initiative

The future of Tasmania Tomorrow, an initiative covering reform of post-compulsory education in the state, is discussed in an article in The Examiner 26 March and an article in The Mercury 25 March 2010.

New curriculum on hold in SA until 2015

South Australia may delay the implementation of national curriculum guidelines covering Years 11 and 12, in view of the introduction of the new South Australian Certificate of Education (SACE). See article in The Advertiser (AdelaideNow) 25 March 2010.

Private schools to test potential students

Independent schools nationally are considering the introduction of pre-entry tests for new students. The proposal has raised concerns among early childhood experts, who fear that the assessments will be used to exclude potentially low-performing students. See article in The Advertiser (Adelaide Now) 26 March 2010.

Victorian schools asked to help fund departure of disengaged teachers

Victorian schools have been asked to draw on their own budgets to help fund a scheme designed to encourage disengaged teachers to leave the profession. See article in The Age 26 March 2010.

Further discussion of new model for school funding

The NSW Public Schools Principals Forum has opposed a national model for school funding advanced by the Australian Primary Principals Association. See article in The Sydney Morning Herald 23 March 2010.

Upgrades to Queensland schools

The Queensland Government has announced funding of more than $4.1 million for facility upgrades at 31 state schools. The funds have been allocated for projects under the Queensland Government's Smart Schools Subsidy Scheme for 2010–11. See statement 24 March 2010 by Queensland Education and Training Minister Geoff Wilson.

Maths expert offers free tuition via YouTube

Salman Khan, a former hedge fund financial analyst, has provided 1,200 free maths lessons on YouTube, covering topics taught from early primary to senior secondary mathematics as well as mathematics involved in science and finance. See transcript of news item on the USA's Public Broadcasting Service, 22 February 2010, and the online 'Khan Academy'.

Secondary students to benefit from 3D science resource

A new teaching resource will allow science teachers to employ innovative 3D technology in their classrooms. The new technology allows students to examine rotational models of molecules. The resource is available online at The Primary Industry Centre for Science Education's (PICSE) website. See also University of Southern Queensland media release 18 March 2010.

Launch of literacy program for at-risk students in WA

Edith Cowan University has launched a research project involving innovative strategies designed to develop the literacy levels of at-risk students in the Clarkson area of Western Australia. See Edith Cowan University statement 24 February 2010.

US call to improve in-school teacher training

Call for academics to play wider role as public intellectuals

Academics should assume the role of critical public intellectual to bring their expertise and knowledge to bear on topical issues, according to an article in truthout 24 March 2010.

School and uni collaborate around horticulture

Charles Darwin University has partnered with a Northern Territory primary school around a horticulture program to plant native, edible plants and fruit trees throughout the school grounds. See Charles Darwin University media release 15 March 2010.