SAFETY IN SCHOOLS

Teachers urged to take strong stance on schoolyard violence

Australian Teacher Magazine (AAP), 31 August 2009

Teachers should take a tough stance on schoolyard violence, the NSW Secondary Principals' Council says following the death of a pupil on the NSW north coast.

Jai Morcom, 15, died at Gold Coast Hospital on Saturday morning after suffering head injuries allegedly during a fight at Mullumbimby High School on Friday.

Witnesses have given conflicting accounts of what happened but some classmates say the year nine student was thrown against a brick wall before he fell and struck his head on concrete.

Jim McAlpine, president of the principals' council, urged restraint on passing judgment on the case until police have established the full facts.

But he said teachers play a key role in preventing violence and must adopt a zero tolerance approach.

Read more at http://tinyurl.com/mywuzx

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SCIENCE EDUCATION

Lost for words at this science

Justine Ferrari, The Australian, September 02, 2009

KEVIN Rudd's education revolution has sold out his principles and our principals.

The decision to rob high schools of science labs and language centres to help pay for the blowout in the cost of sheds in primary schools has left high school principals furious, and betrayed the Prime Minister's stated priorities of improving science and language education.

The only program in the $16billion Building the Education Revolution to have real educational merit was the smallest, the $1bn - reduced last week to $800million - to build sciences and language centres in high schools.

The remaining $15bn was handed to schools regardless of their existing facilities, their community's resources, or whether they even needed a hall or library.

The money, up to $3m per school, was allocated on the basis of the number of students. So schools that already had three swimming pools, a large well-stocked library and brand new classrooms received the same amount of money as schools in the nation's most disadvantaged areas that struggled to buy books and playground equipment and had makeshift classrooms in basements.

Only high schools competing for funding to build science and language centres had to prove a need and demonstrate disadvantage.

Read more at http://tinyurl.com/lmwoem

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BUILDING THE EDUCATION REVOLUTION

Wanted: Full-Time Education Minister

The Hon Christopher Pyne MP, Shadow Minister for Education, 2 September 2009

While the Coalition supports the Deputy Prime Minister’s travel to India, her busy schedule of overseas travel highlights why Australia needs a full time Education Minister focused on fixing the litany of program failures she has left behind, according to Shadow Education Minister Christopher Pyne.

“Today we learned that schools such as Yakanarra Community School, Mornington Island State School and Yirrikala Community School lost their promised funding opportunity for desperately needed science and language centres,” said Mr Pyne.

“It’s the latest example of the Government’s flawed priorities – at least $7.3 million being spent on plaques and display signs could have been spent on science and language centres instead."

Read more at http://tinyurl.com/lsc2v9

School funding signs are ads: Australian Electoral Commission

Matthew Franklin, The Australian, 4 September 2009

THE Australian Electoral Commission has embarrassed Kevin Rudd by ruling that more than 8000 signs being erected outside publicly funded school building projects are political advertisements.

The government confirmed yesterday it would have to mark the signs with authorisations identical to those that appear on political advertisements.

Because many school buildings are also used as polling booths during elections, Special Minister of State Joseph Ludwig has undertaken to move any signs that are less than 6m from the gate of a potential polling place.

The backdown came last night after weeks of government justifications for the signs in the face of opposition complaints about waste of public money on political self-promotion.

Read more at http://tinyurl.com/ng6a88

Gillard under fire over school sign 'bungle'

ABC News, 4 September 2009

The Federal Opposition says Prime Minister Kevin Rudd should strip the education portfolio from Julia Gillard's responsibilities after further problems with the Government's school infrastructure program.

The Government says it will now put authorisation notices on all school stimulus project signs because the Electoral Commission believes they could be a breach of the law.

The Opposition's education spokesman, Christopher Pyne, says it is yet another embarrassing bungle by Education Minister Julia Gillard.

He says Ms Gillard is not coping with her portfolio responsibilities.

Read more at http://tinyurl.com/nt7mnv

Cooking up reasons for spending fiasco

Dennis Shanahan, The Australian, 4 September 2009

I HAVE spent the last half of this week checking out the veracity of a leaked Treasury minute proposing a solution to the miscalculation of spending on Building the Education Revolution and the politically damaging decisions to shut down spending on high school science laboratories and cut the number of houses to be built for the homeless.

The nub of the Treasury minute is that since the Rudd government is jammed over its politically inspired spending overrun on school halls for primary schools, its conviction to continue rolling out the economic spending stimulus, the determination not to borrow more and the ugly look of cutting public housing to pay forschool halls, the solution lies in putting a Rudd Hostel at the back of the remaining Gillard Memorial School Halls.

Given the need for checking the provenance of leaked Treasury memos and emails of late, I did some rudimentary legwork.

Read more at http://tinyurl.com/lpszqh

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REGIONAL & RURAL EDUCATION

World-class regional higher education

Ian Goulter, University World News, 6 September 2009

In the wake of a prematurely concluded feasibility study to consider integrating two of Australia's regional universities, Charles Sturt and Southern Cross, I have suggested looking locally and globally to find models for the successful provision of higher education and research in regional areas that will address the sector's challenges as the education revolution is unfurled.

As higher education in Australia moves to a fully student-demand driven funding model in 2012, several uncertainties remain. The Bradley report on higher education set out a range of challenges around sustainability and growth for regional higher education provision requiring new and innovative thinking about the future.

Professor Denise Bradley concluded that "Australia needs a sustainable system of higher education provision in regional and remote areas", rightly characterising this as a national priority, rather than a regional issue.

Read more at http://tinyurl.com/mjyw3q

Professor Ian Goulter is Vice-chancellor of Charles Sturt University in New South Wales.

Stuck at the bus stop

Cathy Morris, The Courier, 7 September 2009

NEW legislation requiring young people to stay in education or training until 17 years of age will make life harder for regional students who struggle to access school buses, the Victorian Council of Social Service says.

The council's chief executive officer, Cath Smith, said transport was a problem for young people in rural and regional Victoria who were not in mainstream schooling.

She said the school bus service was not planned around the needs of students attending TAFE, or who have left school for a job, and who need to travel on school buses.

"Transport access to education and jobs is a major problem in rural and regional Victoria," Ms Smith said.

Read more at http://tinyurl.com/mr7sor

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DIGITAL EDUCATION REVOLUTION

Young Australians advise Government on cyber-safety

Senator the Hon Stephen Conroy, Minister for Broadband, Communications and the Digital Economy, 1 September 2009

The Minister for Broadband, Communications and the Digital Economy, Senator Stephen Conroy, today met with young Australians advising Government on cyber-safety.

"Young Australians are extremely active online and have a wealth of advice on responding to cyber-safety issues," Senator Conroy said.

"My talks with these school students have highlighted the very real issue of cyber-safety and also provided some invaluable feedback for Government."

"The advice will be taken into account as the Government continues to develop its broad-ranging strategy for cyber-safety."

Five representatives of the Government’s 300-strong Youth Advisory Group met the Minister in Canberra today at Parliament House. They also met the Consultative Working Group on cyber-safety and its Sub-Committee on Cyber-Bullying.

Read more at http://tinyurl.com/ldhtmy

Can a School Library Be Replaced by E-Readers? Apparently, it Can

Stan Schroeder, September 5th, 2009

You could say that it’s not a “real” library any more. Or you could say that the smell, look and feel of real books cannot be replaced by e-readers.

But the administrators of Cushing Academy, a prep school near Boston, have done exactly that.

Instead of the 20,000 books the school currently has, the students of Cushing Academy will have 18 e-readers at their disposal.

The learning centre – the replacement for what was once the school’s library – will also have three large TVs, a coffee shop, and laptop-friendly booths.

Read more at http://tinyurl.com/nrtzqc

Australia leading the world: 1:1 education

Paul Budde, BuddeComm, 7 September 2009

Prior to the government’s announcement of the entire scope of the [ National Broadband Network ] it had already taken a trans-sector initiative.

This was the ‘National Secondary School Computer Fund’ which will see every Australian student in years 9-12 with access to their own school computer.

Upon analysis, the implications of this are rather revolutionary. The combined initiative of 1:1 computers in the school and the 100Mb connections to all the schools in the country is going to open up avenues that will totally revolutionise the education system in the country.

The size of the project and the trans-sector approach to it will create a range of business opportunities. It allows for a standardisation of hardware and software, which will then open the way to an enormous explosion in e-education innovation.

Read more at http://tinyurl.com/nonxmb

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FUNDING

A Market Model of Education?

Dr. Anthony Ashbolt, University of Wollongong, September 2009

Milton Friedman introduced the concept of vouchers in education over fifty years ago.

Thankfully the world ignored him.

Nonetheless, the various victories of neoliberal doctrine from the early 1970s on in the USA, England and Australia placed vouchers on the agenda but not as a central platform. It is one of those policy ideas that is embraced with enthusiasm periodically only to retreat into the recesses of think tanks whose priorities are tax relief for the wealthy and real or imagined wars.

When the governments of choice for these tanks are replaced by ones with a thin veneer of progressive ideology (Rudd Labor, perhaps), they tend to search for a revitalising force, a product that will capture the imagination of those who crave authentic neoliberal orthodoxy. They feel, in a sense and justifiably, that their thunder has been stolen by their own progeny who pretend to descend from a different line.

Having helped drag brand Labor far into the murky world of market orthodoxy, they seek more and throw out adventurous challenges.

Education revolution, Kevin and Julia? We’ll give you one.

Read more at http://tinyurl.com/l3fwu2

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INDIGENOUS EDUCATION

'Four hours of English' strategy doomed to fail, say academics

Anna Patty, Sydney Morning Herald, September 7, 2009

A new strategy to improve the literacy of Aboriginal students in the Northern Territory is doomed to fail and will threaten the survival of indigenous languages and culture, leading academic researchers have warned.

The NT Government has directed schools to teach English for the first four hours of the day in communities where English is not a first language.

Critics say the strategy, supported by the Rudd Government, will dismantle bilingual education and lead to assimilation in remote communities. They also warn it could lead to lower attendance and school retention rates.

Read more at http://tinyurl.com/l56adg

Expert blasts bilingual education changes

Eleni Roussos, ABC News, September 7, 2009

There is no proof that changing bilingual education in the Northern Territory will improve English literacy for Indigenous students, a leading academic says.

In a bid to improve literacy from next year, all bilingual schools in the Territory will have to teach Indigenous students the first four hours in English.

But Professor Peter Buckskin, who is part of a team examining the success of the Howard government's Australian Direction in Indigenous Education, says governments should embrace Indigenous languages in schools, not move to restrict them.

Read more at http://tinyurl.com/kjwl65

Australia invests $32 m to help close the gap in education, training and employment

The Government Monitor, 7 September 2009

The Acting Minister for Education, Senator Mark Arbib, today announced $32 million in funding to improve access to education and training for young Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Australians living in remote or rural regions.

Through the Indigenous Youth Mobility Program (IYMP), participants aged 16 to 24 relocate to take advantage of post secondary education and training opportunities including Australian Apprenticeships, TAFE or university courses particularly those leading to qualifications in nursing, teaching, business administration and accounting.

Read more at http://tinyurl.com/kk49a8

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OPINION

Boys, who cares?

Sonya Fladun, City News, 2 September, 2009

THE thing I never realised until I had a boy and got to know other little boys was just how little our public education system really accepts and understands them.

This really came home to me earlier this year when my six-year-old son was having trouble at school. I watched my enthusiastic, energetic, school-loving son progressively disengage. He stopped talking about his days at school, wouldn’t do his homework, and then started saying that he hated school and didn’t want to go.

Over a few months his whole personality changed. Suddenly he seemed totally lost, sad, rapidly losing confidence, and saying that he was “just dumb”.

Writing was more difficult for him because he is left-handed and he was pretty quickly categorised as probably having ADD. He certainly wasn’t himself.

In lengthy IQ tests I watched him fidget madly and act like the Road Runner on speed as he got just about everything wrong (even stuff I knew he knew).

Although the school made efforts with remedial reading classes and his kind and caring teachers did all in their ability, it was pointed out that the school’s ability to help him was limited and we were startled to quickly hear the suggestion that he should change schools, which of course meant leaving all his friends behind.

Read more at http://tinyurl.com/lnsbh3

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MATHEMATICS EDUCATION

Numeracy in practice: teaching, learning and using mathematics

Curriculum Leadership, 4 September 2009

Numeracy in Practice: Teaching, Learning and Using Mathematics is a research and policy-based resource for teachers of numeracy in Years P–10. It is an initiative of the Victorian Department of Education and Early Childhood Development, and intended to be a companion volume to Literacy Teaching and Learning in Victorian Schools.

The report is based on a focused literature search undertaken to identify and present findings from local and international research relevant to teaching, learning and using mathematics in the 21st century.

It highlights those aspects that make a difference to student numeracy outcomes. Numeracy in Practice: Teaching, Learning and Using Mathematics focuses on the characteristics of effective numeracy teaching and addresses key classroom issues including: what to teach, how to teach numeracy, how to cater for diversity and how to make best use of technology.

The report also focuses on the ways in which the school and the community can support effective teaching of mathematics.

Separate sections of the report explore key areas of research relevant to the teaching and learning of mathematics in Victorian schools.

Read more at http://tinyurl.com/nsyc34

Read the report at http://tinyurl.com/myj4eb

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INTERNATIONAL EDUCATION

Tougher Standards Needed in International Education

Australian Education Union, 2 September 2009

The Australian Education Union said today tougher standards must be introduced for organisations who deliver training to international students to improve the quality of education and to get rid of shonky private operators.

The AEU told a Senate Inquiry into the welfare of international students that the wholesale privatisation of training and education had led to the proliferation of shonky private operators using the lure of permanent residency to pursue profits.

AEU Federal President, Angelo Gavrielatos said failing to address the causes of the current crisis in international education risked further damage to Australia’s reputation as a quality provider of education, poor outcomes for students and the decline of our third largest export industry.

Read more at http://tinyurl.com/lww873

Deputy Prime Minister wraps up India visit

The Hon Julia Gillard MP, Minister for Education, 3 September, 2009

The Deputy Prime Minister, Julia Gillard, today wrapped up her trip to India by visiting Chennai and meeting with students who have studied in Australia and then returned home to India and Australian students currently studying in Chennai.

During the five day visit Ms Gillard has met with the Prime Minister, Dr. Manmohan Singh, and agreed to work to forge even closer ties on issues including security, defence, and education ahead of the Australian Prime Minister’s visit later this year.

Ms Gillard and Dr Singh also discussed the recent issues relating to Indian students studying in Australia. Dr Singh said he greatly appreciated the steps taken by the Australian Government to address concerns, and noted the importance of both countries working together on education in the future.

Read more at http://tinyurl.com/ls3pce

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TERTIARY EDUCATION

Narrow the focus and broaden the mind

Heath Gilmore, Sydney Morning Herald, September 7, 2009

Breaking from the pack, the University of Sydney is displaying a surprising degree of agility for a senior player in the Gillard era of higher education.

The 159-year-old university - the oldest in Australia - wants to shed a bit of weight so it can mix with its younger opponents.

Today the university's vice-chancellor, Michael Spence, will unveil an ongoing, internal review being conducted by the university, examining all options for the future shape and size of the institution - including faculty and school structures, courses, bureaucratic administration and student recruitment.

Read more at http://tinyurl.com/mpd4x7

Historic changes to higher education as Bill passes

The Hon Julia Gillard MP, Minister for Education, 7 September, 2009

Historic changes to higher education in Australia have passed through the Parliament, which will mean that by 2012 universities will be funded for every eligible student they teach, rather than through a system of rationed places.

The Deputy Prime Minister, Julia Gillard, today said the passage of the Higher Education Support Amendment (2009 Budget Measures) Bill paves the way for a fundamental shift in universities providing higher education moving to a student centred system of funding.

The Bill allows universities to decide how many places they will offer in approved courses, with the government funding all places offered to those students. From 2012 there will be no cap on the number of places universities will be able to offer to students.

Read more at http://tinyurl.com/n2fxp6

Government to reintroduce Bill to rebuild essential student services and amenities

The Hon Kate Ellis MP, Minister for Early Childhood Education, Child Care and Youth, 8 September, 2009

Kate Ellis, Minister for Early Childhood Education, Child Care and Youth, announced today that the Australian Government will introduce the Higher Education Legislation Amendment (Student Services and Amenities) Bill 2009 into the Parliament tomorrow.

This Bill once again proposes a balanced, practical approach to funding campus services and amenities; an approach that was voted down by the Opposition during the last sitting period.

“This Government is determined to deliver on our election commitment to rebuild essential student services and amenities on university campuses,” Ms Ellis said.

“And we make no apology for honouring that commitment today by introducing this important legislation.”

Read more at http://tinyurl.com/kps9z3

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AROUND THE STATES & TERRITORIES

ACT: New Institute to ensure ACT continues to have the best teachers

Andrew Barr, Minister for Education and Training, 30 August 2009

All teachers in ACT public and non-government schools will be registered with the establishment of the ACT Government’s Teacher Quality Institute, expected to open in early 2011.
 
The Institute will have responsibility for teacher registration, ensuring teacher’s qualifications meet new minimum national standards and accrediting teacher training courses delivered in the ACT.
 
The ACT Government has taken the first step in establishing the institute, advertising for a Senior Project Manager to work with stakeholders such as the Department of Education and Training, the non-government school peak groups, the University of Canberra and parents groups to scope out possible operating models for the institute.

Read more at http://tinyurl.com/ms5ax6

ACT: Looking Back at School Closure Issues in the ACT

Trevor Cobbold, Convenor, Save Our Schools, 3 September 2009

Convenor of Save Our Schools, Trevor Cobbold, delivered a paper on school mergers and closures to a forum in Adelaide on 3 September 2009 sponsored by the South Australian Branch of the Australian Education Union. The forum was titled “Education Works or Education Wilderness?”

The paper describes the background to the school closures announced by the ACT Government in 2006 and discusses the key issues and lessons arising from the campaign against school closures.

It notes that the government consultation was not independent and largely delivered what the Government wanted. It also notes that school closures in the ACT targeted disadvantaged communities and that low income and Indigenous families have borne the large part of the burden.

Read more at http://tinyurl.com/ljtvle

Read the paper at http://tinyurl.com/mpc6u8

NSW: Building the Education Revolution Website

Verity Firth, Minister for Education and Training, 30 August 2009

The Minister for Education and Training Verity Firth said a new website was now available for anyone seeking information about projects being constructed in NSW under the Building the Education Revolution.

“This will be a fantastic source of information for school communities to see how their project is progressing.

“It will also provide transparency by detailing the full cost of the project, so principals, teachers and parents will be able to see for themselves that they’re getting value for money.”

The website will contain information on all Building the Education Revolution programs - Primary Schools for the 21st Century, National School Pride and Science and Language Centres for 21st Century Schools.

Read more at http://tinyurl.com/n9yv8v

Go to the website at http://www.ber.nsw.gov.au

NSW: TAFE teachers rally at Parliament House

New South Wales Teachers Federation, 2 September 2009

Four thousand TAFE teachers and supporters from across NSW rallied outside Parliament House in Macquarie Street today.

The participants voted unanimously to continue their campaign to ensure the NSW government delivers proper salary increases without destroying the quality of TAFE education in the state.

The meeting carried the following resolution:

"This stopwork meeting of TAFE Federation members at NSW Parliament on 2 September 2009 has no confidence in the Director-General Michael Coutts-Trotter.

"We are determined to fight to maintain quality TAFE teaching and learning conditions, and reject proposals made by DET to increase teaching hours and destroy professional development."

Read more at http://tinyurl.com/lzmrmp

NSW: Stage set for new creative and performing arts high schools

Nathan Rees, Premier of NSW, September 4, 2009

Premier Nathan Rees today visited his former high school in Northmead to deliver on his commitment to provide more creative opportunities for around 1400 students in Western Sydney.

On the eve of his first anniversary the Premier announced the creation of two new creative and performing arts schools in Western Sydney while addressing the school’s 50th Anniversary Assembly.

Mr Rees said Northmead and Nepean High Schools would join Campbelltown High School as specialist arts high schools, creating a network of three in the region.

“When I became Premier I committed to fostering a bright and dynamic future for Western Sydney as a hub of culture and the arts in NSW,” Mr Rees said.

Read more at http://tinyurl.com/klq8az

NT: Recognising Outstanding Students

Paul Henderson, Minister for Education, 4 September 2009

Nominations for the 2009 Chief Minister’s Literacy Achievement Awards are now open.

The Chief Minister and Education Minister Paul Henderson said the awards recognise the importance of literacy for living and learning.

“The awards raise awareness about the importance of developing literacy skills, while recognising student achievements,” he said.

“This Government is committed to achieving literacy and numeracy levels at, or above, national averages through our Smart Territory strategy.”

Read more at http://tinyurl.com/naz64a

NT: Recognising Excellence in Our Teachers

Paul Henderson, Minister for Education, 6 September 2009

Territorians are being called upon to nominate outstanding educators for the 2009 Teaching in the Territory Excellence Awards.

“Teachers shape the next generation and make a significant contribution to the education of our young people and to school communities,” the Education Minister Paul Henderson said.

“Effective teachers are the key to student success and should be acknowledged."

Read more at http://tinyurl.com/l8uyrg

QLD: Catholic school teachers 'poised to strike'

Marissa Calligeros, Brisbane Times, 2 September 2009

Catholic school teachers may soon follow their state-employed colleagues in further strike action as pay talks deteriorate.

Queensland's Independent Education Union, calling for "benchmark pay rates" on par with that of teachers interstate, is expected to lead disgruntled members in stop work action next month after a ballot vote is held in the coming weeks.

Independent school employers, including the Catholic diocese, have argued that increasing the wages of their teachers above those of state school teachers would jeopardise the system's state funding.

Read more at http://tinyurl.com/n85nq6

SA: Basketball stars set to visit SA schools

Education Minister Jane Lomax-Smith, September 4, 2009

Adelaide Link Lightning basketballers will encourage tens of thousands of school children to read and be active after signing on as official ambassadors to two State Government challenges.

Link Lightning joins Adelaide United to be the second South Australian sporting team to become ambassadors for the Premier’s Reading Challenge and Premier’s be active Challenge.

Education Minister Jane Lomax-Smith today joined with Adelaide Link Lightning Director Steve Brehney to announce the commitment.

“These talented sporting stars will motivate children on and off the basketball court as part of school and holiday clinics,” Dr Lomax-Smith says.

Read more at http://tinyurl.com/lumzok

TAS: A-team continues in term three

David Bartlett MP, Premier, 2 September 2009

The A-team pilot program will continue in term three as had always been planned, Premier and Minister for Education and Skills, David Bartlett, said today.
 
Mr Bartlett said progress would be reviewed before the end of the year and parents would be consulted.
 
“During this time there will be expert support to build individual transition plans for each child with their school,” he said.
 
“Several schools will be implementing targeted programs based on the learning from the A-Team pilot.
 
“It was never intended to be an on-going, out of school program and schools are now deciding, with their parents and communities how they can best use funds into the future."

Read more at http://tinyurl.com/mwk3ga

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TAS: More support for young mums urged

Jane Bestwick, ABC News, 7 September 2009

There is a push for more to be done to help teenage girls in Tasmania who become pregnant while at school, to continue their education.

Nearly one third of all babies in the state are born to teenagers.

For the last five years, Tasmania's had the second highest rate of teenage pregnancy in Australia. Commonly the girls drop out of school.

At 16, Jess Jackson's life changed forever.

"I was studying, hoping to be a psychologist and go to uni and do psych and and I fell pregnant about April in Year 11," she said.

She dropped out because one teacher told her she should not continue studying because she would be too fat and tired.

Read more at http://tinyurl.com/knyodm

VIC: Young Students to Stay in Education and Training Longer

Bronwyn Pike, Minister for Education, 1 September 2009

The Minister for Education, Bronwyn Pike, today announced that an amendment to the Education and Training Reform Act will lift the minimum school leaving age from 16 to 17.

Ms Pike said that from January next year all Victorian students will be required to complete Year 10 and remain in some form of education, training or employment until the age of 17.

“The Brumby Labor Government is taking action to give our young people opportunity, choice, a modern education and equipping them with the life skills they need for jobs of the future,” Ms Pike said.

“Giving our students a good education opens them to options that suit their individual aspirations and with a platform to pursue their dreams."

Read more at http://tinyurl.com/lfyxp9

VIC: Brumby Labor Government Education Boost for Bendigo

Bronwyn Pike, Minister for Education, 4 September 2009

Bendigo students are the biggest winners with a $21.9 million Brumby Labor Government education funding boost to improve learning facilities in their rural city.

The Education Minister, Bronwyn Pike, today visited Eaglehawk Secondary College, praising the school for completing their $11.3 million Stage One building project.

“Eaglehawk Secondary College students can now enjoy state-of-the-art classrooms, a specialist design and technology building and a performing arts centre, thanks to funding from the Brumby Labor Government’s 2007-2008 and 2008-2009 State Budget investment,” Ms Pike said.

Read more at http://tinyurl.com/knasac

VIC: Raising school leaving age welcomed

Meg Rayner, The Courier, 7 September 2009

A MOVE to lift the minimum school leaving age from 16 to 17 has been welcomed in Ballarat.

The decision was announced last Tuesday by Education Minister Bronwyn Pike, with an amendment to the Education and Training Reform Act to come into effect in January next year.

It will mean all Victorian students will be required to complete Year 10 and remain in some form of education, training or employment until the age of 17.

"Research shows that young people who stay in education and training significantly boost their their career prospects and have a better chance of experiencing all the benefits that come with a good education," Ms Pike said.

Read more at http://tinyurl.com/ko3crh

WA: Help for parents to help children learn 

Liz Constable, Education Minister, 3 September 2009

Parents and carers of public primary school students will soon receive their own purpose-written guide to help their children with mathematics.

Education Minister Liz Constable launched the booklets today at Inglewood Primary School as part of National Literacy and Numeracy Week 2009.

Dr Constable said parent engagement in education was a major factor in a child’s success at school.

“Research shows there are strong links between parent support and involvement and improved student achievements, attendance and behaviour,” she said.

“A child’s performance in the classroom can be greatly enhanced if they are exposed to maths in their daily lives from an early age." 

Read more at http://tinyurl.com/kplesr

WA: New early learning centre to support children with autism

The Hon Kate Ellis MP, Minister for Early Childhood Education, Child Care and Youth, 7 September, 2009

Joint Media Release with The Hon Jenny Macklin MP, Minister for Families, Housing, Community Services and Indigenous Affairs, and The Hon Bill Shorten MP, Parliamentary Secretary for Disabilities and Children's Services

A new Autism Specific Early Learning and Care Centre in Perth will give young West Australian children with Autism Spectrum Disorders access to specialist early childhood services to help them reach their full potential.

The Rudd Government will provide almost $2.5 million over the next three years to the Autism Association of Western Australia and Jellybeans Child Care to operate the centre in partnership with Curtin University of Technology.

Opening early next year, the centre will operate out of an existing Jelly Beans Child Care Centre in Warwick and will provide a minimum of 20 child care places for children aged 0 to 6 years with Autism Spectrum Disorders.

Read more at http://tinyurl.com/lua8hh

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CONFERENCES & EVENTS

Educational Integrity: Creating an Inclusive Approach

Asia Pacific Conference on Educational Integrity

29-30 September 2009, University of Wollongong, NSW

This conference is built around a stimulating discussion-centred format. Written papers will be posted on the web before the conference. Authors, rather than giving talks, will provide one-pagers to focus the discussion. Sessions will feature comments by discussants, responses by authors and ample time for discussion around key questions. The sessions will be highly interactive and give authors plenty of feedback. Other formats will be used too, including plenary interviews, quizzes and films.

Keynote presenters include Dr John Lesko, editor of Plagiary: Cross-disciplinary studies in plagiarism, fabrication, and falsification, and Anna Broinowski, director of the film Forbidden Lies. Educational integrity includes topics such as plagiarism and values in teaching and learning, as well as the broader educational context.

Raed more at http://tinyurl.com/cgjye5

Innovation in Education

A One-Day Conference Exploring Education Systems to Meet the High Learning Challenge of the 21st Century

9 November 2009, Park Plaza Victoria, London, UK

The 21st century will continue to present new and ever more unpredictable challenges. An education system that equips children and young people with the skills they need to rise to these challenges is vital if we are to maintain our long-term competitiveness.

Join the Guardian and the Innovation Unit to explore means for creating an education system that will enable our children and young people to meet the high learning challenges of the 21st century.

Bringing together leading thinkers, commentators and practitioners, we seek to go beyond the local, to learn lessons from across the globe and collectively contribute to the formation of a powerful strategy that will enable genuine 21st century education.

Read more at http://tinyurl.com/msc4mf

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REMINDERS

11 September - Education with Muslims: Moving Forward and Engaging Communities - Shepparton, VIC - http://tinyurl.com/nxug7p

11-12 September - Future Directions in Literacy Conference - Sydney, NSW - http://tinyurl.com/n8ldcx

16-18 September - flexible.learning@schools - Adelaide, SA - http://tinyurl.com/lregl2

26-27 September - NSW Computer Education Group State Conference - Stanhope Gardens, NSW - http://tinyurl.com/ludqwh

26-28 September - ACEL International Conference - Darwin, NT - http://tinyurl.com/pgf6cq

2-4 October - Australian Curriculum Studies Association Biennial Conference - Canberra, ACT - http://tinyurl.com/pcslmo

6 October - Ed Directions - Sydney, NSW - http://tinyurl.com/nmv4pz

11-17 October - Anti-Poverty Week - http://tinyurl.com/rbnlxh

12-13 October - ACSSO National Conference - Hobart, TAS - http://tinyurl.com/q8njl3

20 October - Symposium: Building school partnerships with commerce & industry - Melbourne, VIC - http://tinyurl.com/m6r5mb

24-25 October - Asian Conference on Education - Osaka, Japan - http://tinyurl.com/lahwja

9-12 November - London International Conference on Education - London, UK - http://tinyurl.com/ckcrmp

18-21 November - NAEYC Annual Conference & Expo - Washington DC, USA http://tinyurl.com/muhe24

24-26 November - Family Relationship Services Australia National Conference - Sydney, NSW - http://tinyurl.com/lz433t

25-27 November - International Conference on Primary Education 2009 - Hong Kong - http://tinyurl.com/lqt8rm

9-10 April - National Coalition against Bullying Conference - Melbourne, VIC - http://tinyurl.com/m78qyt

4-7 July - National Conference for Teachers of English & Literacy - Perth, WA - http://tinyurl.com/ln6xjm

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• Public Education Voice : http://tinyurl.com/cy7s78 (quarterly)

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