What's newMinisters discuss school funding reformAustralian education ministers, meeting as the Standing Council on School Education and Early Childhood (SCSEEC), have discussed proposals for a new school funding scheme. See Communiqué, statement from Australian Minister for School Education, Peter Garrett, transcript of press conference held by Peter Garrett and Jacinta Collins, and report on ABC News, all 5 April 2012. See also article in The Age 6 April 2012 concerning the time line in Victoria for implementing a revised funding scheme. Major new project studying the effectiveness of teacher educationThe Studying the Effectiveness of Teacher Education (SETE) project is investigating the effectiveness of teacher education in preparing teachers for the variety of school settings in which they begin their teaching careers. It will follow 2010 graduates in Victoria and Queensland during their first three years of teaching. SETE involves a strong partnership with the professional regulation authorities and education jurisdictions in both states. The project aims to provide evidence for policy decisions regarding teacher education and beginning teaching. Helping Schools Do Better: Peter GarrettThe Australian Minister for School Education, Peter Garrett, has written an opinion piece on the issues surrounding evaluation of schooling and planning for educational reform. Further discussion of school rankingsThe Australian newspaper has published an interactive website listing schools, citing their NAPLAN results and allowing user-generated comparisons between specific schools. See related article 9 April focused on Prime Minister Julia Gillard's comments on educational equity. For futher, related discussion, on the topic of school rankings, see comment 9 April in The Sydney Morning Herald, comment in The Daily Telegraph 11 April, and blog post in Education Week (USA) 23 March 2012. School devolution in NSWStaff at five schools involved in the NSW Government's trial program to devolve power to principals have voted to withdraw from it, according to an article in The Sydney Morning Herald 8 April 2012. MyUniversity website launchedThe Australian Government has launched the MyUniversity website, which allows students to compare tertiary education institutions. See report on ABC News and article in The Sydney Morning Herald, both 4 April 2012. Further support for students with autismParliamentary Secretary for School Education, Senator Jacinta Collins, has launched the second phase of the Australian Government's Positive Partnerships to provide classroom and family support for students with autism. Meanwhile, the Victorian Government has announced that families and carers of young people living with an Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) will benefit from a new three-year behaviour support program. Students using personal computing devices in the classroomAn article in THE Journal 7 March 2012 considers the educational benefits of allowing students to use their personal mobile devices in the classroom. |