What's newFirst national curriculum for Year 11 and 12 studentsThe Australian Curriculum, Assessment and Reporting Authority (ACARA) has released the draft curriculum for English, Mathematics, Science and History, for consultation before a final curriculum is agreed by all education ministers at the end of this year. See statement by Australian Minister for School Education Peter Garrett, 10 May 2012. Further comment on NAPLANOn 15–17 May over a million students in years 3, 5, 7 and 9 undertook NAPLAN tests in reading, writing, language conventions and numeracy. For commentary supporting the value of the tests see article by Australian Minister for School Education, Peter Garrett, 4 May, and article by ACARA Chair, Barry McGaw, in The Age 7 May. See also overview article and article opposing the tests, also in The Age 7 May 2012. Further funding to support literacy and numeracyThe Australian Government has announced further funding for schemes to help improve literacy and numeracy results in Australian schools. The funding is intended to further the work that has taken place under the Smarter Schools National Partnership for Literacy and Numeracy. For media discussion of literacy and numeracy education see article and opinion piece in The Sydney Morning Herald 7 May 2012. Extra funding to help students with disabilityThe Australian Government has announced further funding to support the More Support for Students with Disabilities initiative. See statement 4 May by Jacinta Collins, Parliamentary Secretary for School Education and Workplace Relations, including links to related statements. See also article on PerthNow site 7 May 2012. Home Interaction Program for Parents and YoungstersThe Australian Government has announced that it will invest a further $55.7 million to expand the Home Interaction Program for Parents and Youngsters (HIPPY program) to 100 communities across Australia. The program provides parents and carers with the skills and confidence they need to take an active role in their children's education, as well as access to a tutor and practical learning activities and materials to help children learn and develop. See article in The Sydney Morning Herald 7 May 2012. Age Discrimination Commissioner concerned that older teachers face pressure to leave jobsAustralia's Age Discrimination Commissioner, Susan Ryan, has expressed concern that older teachers 'may be forced out of their jobs', according to an article in The Advertiser 6 May 2012. Endeavour Language Teacher FellowshipsThe Endeavour Language Teacher Fellowships (ELTF) is offering opportunities for practising and pre-service language teachers to take part in a three-week in study program in one of 10 countries. Candidates may apply online from 15 May 2012. Practising and trainee teacher applications will close 25 June 2012. Group Leader applications will be open for a four week period closing on the 14 June 2012. Leadership Masterclass: Revealing Leadership Across Cultures. Bangkok, July.Join leading educators in partnership with the Hong Kong Institute of Education (HKIEd) and the Commonwealth Council for Educational Administration and Management (CCEAM), and participate in an intensive program at the Mahidol University, Bangkok that will provide deep-dive learning sessions for educational leaders, 9–13 July 2012. Schoolkids BonusThe Australian Government has announced that 1.3 million Australian families with children at school will get a new cash payment to help them meet the costs of their children's education. See statement and interview transcript from Prime Minister, Julia Gillard, 7 May 2012. See also article and video from ABC News. Follow CL journal on TwitterFor news updates between editions of the journal follow Curriculum Leadership on Twitter. |