SCIENCE EDUCATION

Science plan designed to inspire

Clarissa Thorpe, ABC News, 8 February 2010

A new national report has been released looking at the relationship between science and society, and the resources needed to encourage future Australian scientists.

The Inspiring Australia report reviews initiatives at schools, universities, non-profit groups and research organisations to promote science.

Review chair Professor Graham Durant says one of the report's main recommendations for the Federal Government is to expand on existing local projects in the science community.  He says it is the first time a national science communication strategy has been put together.

Professor Durant - who is also the head of Questacon in Canberra - says science is an important part of public education.

Read entire article: http://www.abc.net.au/news/stories/2010/02/08/2813066.htm

Listen to or download audio interview with Prof. Durant: http://mpegmedia.abc.net.au/news/audio/news-audio/201002/20100208-science-plan.mp3

Australia’s first national science communication report launched

Hon Senator Kim Carr, 8 February 2010

Inspiring Australia: a national strategy for engagement with the sciences affirms the critical importance of a vigorous, high-quality national strategy for public engagement with the sciences for Australia's innovation agenda.

The report was launched today at the 2010 Australian Science Communicators National Conference by the Minister for Innovation, Industry, Science and Research, Senator Kim Carr.

“This report correctly calls for a national, coordinated strategy to catapult science into the classrooms, boardrooms and lounge rooms of Australia,” Senator Carr said.

“The Rudd Labor Government is already answering this call through a broad range of science communication initiatives to increase the return on investment in research institutions, infrastructure and programs now and into the future.

“I welcome the report’s recommendations to build on this base and ensure that Australian society is innovative with a technologically skilled workforce, a scientifically literate community and well-informed decision makers. 

Read entire release: http://minister.innovation.gov.au/Carr/Pages/AUSTRALIASFIRSTNATIONALSCIENCECOMMUNICATIONREPORTLAUNCHED.aspx

Download the report: http://www.innovation.gov.au.

Rewarding Science

2010 Australian Museum Eureka Prizes

Entries for this year’s prizes opened on 5 February 2010 – and close on Friday 7 May 2010.

Of particular interest to schools are:

• Science Teaching Prize – sponsored by University of Technology, Sydney
• Sleek Geeks Science Prize – with categories for Primary School and Secondary School Students – sponsored by Faculty of Science at Sydney University

The Website includes a range of outstanding teaching and learning resources for schools, to enliven and enthuse your science programs – and encourage all schools to think about entering for this year’s prizes.

Full details at: http://eureka.australianmuseum.net.au/

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SCHOOL LIBRARIES

School libraries: making a difference

Kerry Neary, Australian Educational Leader via Curriculum Leadership, 5 February 2010

Books, school libraries and qualified teacher librarians remain important for student learning.

Printed non-fiction books lead the learner toward the construction of knowledge through the use of data and then information. The learner can use the index at the back of a book to situate an unfamiliar term within a conceptual hierarchy of headings and subheadings.

In contrast, keywords used in online searches 'imply some prior knowledge of the context of the information being sought', disadvantaging less advanced learners.

As the information hub of the school, the library should continue to be the focus of a school's information literacy program.

Libraries should be staffed by qualified teacher librarians who have specialist knowledge of the schools' information resources. These teacher librarians should be included in curriculum planning.

There is extensive evidence that student learning outcomes can be improved by the availability of school libraries with well-qualified staff.

Read more at: http://cmslive.curriculum.edu.au/leader/default.asp?id=58&issueID=12031#art30331  

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COMPARING SCHOOL PERFORMANCE

Poor teachers, poor results

Christopher Bantick, the Australian, 1 February 2010

THE suggestion that poor children will not do well at school is both offensive and misguided. Anyone who knows much about education and teaching understands this simple fact: quality educational outcomes are directly related to quality teaching. It is the sleeper in the My School website.

Research has persistently shown better teachers mean better results. Do you think I am overstating the case? Well, consider this. According to the findings of the benchmark 2005 Department of Education, Science and Training's national inquiry into the teaching of literacy:

"Highly effective teachers and their professional learning do make a difference in the classroom. It is not so much what students bring with them from their backgrounds, but what they experience on a day-to-day basis in interaction with teachers and other students that matters. Teaching quality has strong effects on children's experiences of schooling, including their attitudes, behaviours and achievement outcomes."

Read entire article: http://www.theaustralian.com.au/news/opinion/poor-teachers-poor-results/story-e6frg6zo-1225825236708

Ranking by NAPLAN results rates a fail

John Collier, Sydney Morning Herald, February 3, 2010

A visible aspect of current community life is the demand for transparency and accountability. Governments feel the demand from the electorate for information on which to base decisions, and on which to judge the performance of social utilities such as schools.

The notion of accountability is unobjectionable. Schools play an important and even decisive role in shaping the futures of young people and should be held accountable.

But how - and through which indicators?

There are many objections to using NAPLAN tests and the consequent league tables based upon them for this purpose. Attempting to express the quality of a school in a single statistic is so reductionist as to be misleading.

The input of schools into a student's life cannot be measured as a result of a short test on one day of the year.

The essential problem is that much of what schools do - pastoral care, extension of life opportunities through co-curricular and sporting programs, formation of values, creation of community - cannot be quantified.

Read entire article: http://www.smh.com.au/opinion/politics/ranking-by-naplan-results-rates-a-fail-20100202-nay4.html

Dr John Collier is the headmaster of St Andrew's Cathedral School and chairman of the NSW/ACT (Independent Sector) Academic Committee.

Lapping up MySchool?

Martin Feil, the Age, February 3, 2010

....The Deputy Prime Minister spoke on the John Faine radio program on January 29. Her exact words are that parents are lapping up the MySchool website. It is a data base that provides "a special comparative index created by experts". It gives you a score based on a number of weighted variables that can tell you how your school measures up against comparable schools.

...This issue isn't in my usual area of interest but it is another brilliant example of how outstanding thinkers and operators can be captured, seduced and blinded by pseudo-scientists.

Statistics is a travelling companion of economics. It is not a hard science. It relies upon assumptions.

Results vary enormously depending upon how questions are framed, what questions are included, the size of the sample, the characteristics of the respondents and a host of other influential factors.

How much did the survey and the analysis cost? It is another example of ignoring the empirical evidence of pupils, parents and teachers on the ground, creating a model that really doesn't define the schools and creating a whizz-bang number.

Read entire article: http://www.theage.com.au/opinion/blogs/the-economic-brumby/lapping-up-myschool/20100202-nam3.html

Don’t use the My School website to choose a school

Maralyn Parker, Daily Telegraph, 3 February 2010

The My School website has given us at least one nasty revelation - how out of touch some parent organisations are with Australian parents. The website is the hottest Australian educational site ever.   After crashing on its first day with 646 thousand visitors - tens of millions of hits - it is now down to a steady 52,000 visitors a day. Parents are soaking up all the new information.

What a pity it doesn’t take advertisements - imagine the income it could generate to help pay for the education Revolution.

But parent organisations are not reflecting this unprecedented interest in school performance data, instead they are backing teacher union threats to boycott the National Assessment Program - Literacy and Numeracy (NAPLAN)   It makes me believe the officers of some parent organisations are more in tune with teacher union officials than with the parents of Australian school children.

But it is not just parents getting in there and soaking up the information. Teachers are telling me they had no idea how the school next door was performing until they found out on the My School website. They are also telling me they did not vote on the threat to boycott NAPLAN tests and many have no intention of doing so if the union goes ahead with its threat.

Meanwhile don’t fall for the union line the information on the site is inaccurate. It is all checked and backed up. You do need to know results for small schools can vary widely from year to year so comparisons can be difficult. But the site tells you all of this.

As for using the website to change schools or to choose a school- frankly it does not offer nearly enough information to do that.

Read entire article: http://blogs.news.com.au/dailytelegraph/maralynparker/index.php/dailytelegraph/comments/one_revelation_and_one_senseless_piece_of_legislation/

My School statistics give 'flawed' picture

Justine Ferrari, the Australian, 4 February 2010 

THE school comparisons on the My School website are based on the characteristics of the general community rather than the background of the children attending each school, which testing experts said provides a flawed judgment of performance.

In forming groups of statistically similar schools to compare student results on My School, the Australian Curriculum Assessment and Reporting Authority has matched students' home addresses to census data to determine the social characteristics of the students.

Although the census includes information on households with school-aged children, ACARA decided not to use this information and instead used the information for all households in the neighbourhood.

The authority used the data to develop an index to account for differences in student backgrounds that affect educational achievement, called the Index of Community Socio-Educational Advantage, which accounts for 68 per cent of the variance in student results.

But Ben Jensen, school education research director at the Grattan Institute, said it excluded factors known to significantly affect schooling, including whether English was spoken as a second language, if the children were new to the school, refugees, had learning difficulties or disabilities and whether the school was academically selective.

Read more at: http://www.theaustralian.com.au/news/nation/my-school-statistics-give-flawed-picture/story-e6frg6nf-1225826526522

Teachers told to focus on NAPLAN: union

Charisse Edi, Sydney Morning Herald, February 5, 2010 (AAP)

A Victorian government memo advising teachers to teach explicitly for the national numeracy and literacy tests will result in a narrowing of the education curriculum, the Australian Education Union (AEU) says.

A leaked memo from the Victorian Education Department to principals in Victoria's Loddon Mallee region directs principals to "privilege the testing as an event of significance", and asks teachers to "explicitly teach for NAPLAN" every day.

It says continued funding in the Literacy/Numeracy National Partnership program is dependent on improvement in results and highlights that the top 20 per cent of schools will be rewarded for improvements.

The memo has added fuel to the AEU's concerns that too much focus is being put on the tests, which are a key element of the federal government's controversial My School website.

Read entire article: http://news.smh.com.au/breaking-news-national/teachers-told-to-focus-on-naplan-union-20100205-nhow.html

My School – the devil lies in the inaccuracies of detail

Australia Institute, “Between the Lines”, 8 February 2010

The Australian Government has taken the high level of interest in the My School website as evidence of its worth. The problem is that the information contained in the website is flawed and as a result, dangerous.

As had been warned, on the day the website went live, major daily newspapers produced league tables ranking the so-called best and worst schools. This information was based on the average performance of students from years 3, 5, 7 and 9 in literacy and numeracy tests.

Those journalists who unquestioningly reproduced this information had obviously forgotten their year-9 coursework on statistics. Except in the case of a normal bell-shaped distribution, averages do not tell you very much. More information on the distribution of results was available, but this was not what was typically reported.

The government defended its website by arguing that it would lead to a more informed education debate. The only way this could happen would be if the website displayed an accurate and complete picture of performance. It does not.

Read entire Newsletter: https://www.tai.org.au/

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TOWARDS A NATIONAL CURRICULUM

How Do You Deliver A World-Class Curriculum?

Annabel Astbury, New Matilda, 3 February 2010

As Julia Gillard urges parents to use the My School website to find out how schools perform in national testing, another element of the Rudd Government's much vaunted education revolution is set to emerge. 

According to the Australian Curriculum, Assessment and Reporting Authority (ACARA) — the government body also now responsible for My School — the first draft of a K-10 National Curriculum in the areas of English, Mathematics, History and Science will be available for public scrutiny from the end of February.

Whatever the content of the National Curriculum, you can expect to hear the usual range of popular reactions. They will be the same ones that panic parents into visiting the My Schools website with questions like: "How much will my child read?", "When will my child learn their times tables?" and the old, but reliable, favourite "Where do kids learn about Australian History?"

However, beneath these perennial concerns, some very important questions about the National Curriculum remain unanswered. Will all states and territories implement the proposed curriculum? What professional learning and resources will teachers be given to help implement the new curriculum? And which are the best teachers to deliver this world-class curriculum?

ACARA, so far, has been firm in its response that the curriculum being developed by them will be undertaken by all Australian K-10 students. This all sounds straightforward enough, doesn't it? But in light of the fact that all states and territories still have their own education departments, each with their own curriculum and assessment bodies, the simple directive that "every Australian student will undertake a National Curriculum" becomes more complex.

Read entire article: http://newmatilda.com/2010/02/03/how-do-you-deliver-worldclass-curriculum#comment-20255

Annabel Astbury is the Executive Director of the History Teachers’ Association of Victoria, which provides professional learning support to teachers. She supports the idea of a “world-class” curriculum that, hopefully, her children will enjoy.

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BUILDING THE EDUCATION REVOLUTION

Schools program behind schedule

Dan Harrison, the Age, February 4, 2010

A report from the Commonwealth coordinator-general, released yesterday to mark the first anniversary of the government's $42 billion stimulus package, shows that nationally, 7961 schools have been funded for 10,656 projects under the $14 billion primary school element.

But at the end of December - three months after construction of all primary school buildings was supposed to have started - 5 per cent of projects had not begun. About 200 projects - 2 per cent of the total - had been completed.

All 537 science and language centres approved under the $822 million secondary school element were also scheduled to have started by the end of September. But 6 per cent had not begun by the end of last year. Three schools' projects had been completed ahead of schedule.

Read more at http://www.theage.com.au/national/education/schools-program-behind-schedule-20100203-ndqf.html

Education revolution leaves pupils in limbo

Rachel Browne, Sydney Morning Herald, February 7, 2010

THE federal government's education building program has left hundreds of primary schools as building sites, with some losing their entire play area.

And the noise and disruption are likely to continue for the next six to 12 months, with all works under the stimulus program for primary schools due for completion in March next year.

At Double Bay Public School parents and children returned to school to discover the entire play area had been cordoned off for building equipment while $2.6 million of work is under way. Children are escorted across the road to Steyne Park to play.

"We now have a war zone in the middle of the school with cranes and pile drivers, which are an unfortunate but necessary evil," school parent Michael Lloyd White said. "I guess that our children this year may suffer for the benefit of having a new hall to serve the school for years to come."

President of the Federation of Parents and Citizens Associations of NSW Dianne Giblin said parents have expressed concerns about the disruption for staff and pupils.  "I've heard a lot of comment from schools which have had to move the play area into the park over the road just because there is no space inside the school," she said.

Read entire article: http://www.smh.com.au/national/education/education-revolution-leaves-pupils-in-limbo-20100206-njv8.html

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INDIGENOUS EDUCATION

Infrastructure spending supports Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander students

Hon Julia Gillard MP, Minister for Education, 3 February 2010

Two boarding schools in Queensland enrolling Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander students have received a $1.9 million boost in infrastructure funding from the Australian Government.

The schools are Djarragun College in Gordonvale, which will receive just over $1 million, and Shalom Christian College in Condon, which will receive $920 000.

The funding is part of the Government’s Indigenous Boarding Infrastructure Program, which helps boarding schools to upgrade aged and deteriorating student accommodation and to expand facilities to accommodate increasing numbers of Indigenous students.

The boarding schools being funded through the program have strong track records in providing high-quality education experiences for Indigenous students.

To date, 30 projects totalling $43.1 million have been approved for funding under the Indigenous Boarding Infrastructure Program.

Read entire release: http://www.deewr.gov.au/Ministers/Gillard/Media/Releases/Pages/Article_100203_150013.aspx

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SPECIAL NEEDS

Report calls for action on dyslexia

Anna Patty, Sydney Morning Herald, January 23, 2010

NATIONAL recognition of dyslexia as a disability, with improved training and professional development for teachers to deal with the problem, are needed to address a source of poor literacy skills, says a report to the Federal Government.

The report to the federal parliamentary secretary for disabilities and children's services, Bill Shorten, says up to 10 per cent of people struggle to cope with dyslexia.

It says there are no pathways to diagnosis and support for children and adults with dyslexia. "In the education system there are few qualified to diagnose, and the wait time for school psychologists is up to a year," the report by the Dyslexia Working Party says.

The report says that dyslexia should be recognised as a disability under the Disability Discrimination Act through legislation at state and federal level. It also recommends improved training for students studying to become teachers and professional development for those already in the job, to help them identify and support students with dyslexia.

Read more at http://www.smh.com.au/national/education/report-calls-for-action-on-dyslexia-20100122-mqp8.html

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HEALTH & WELL-BEING

Backpacks 'crushing' children

NZPA, the-press, 3 February 2010

School children are being crushed beneath the weight of their backpacks, chiropractors say. The New Zealand Chiropractors Association (NZCA) has warned against the classic money-saving technique of buying new-entrants one bag to last through to university following a US study which showed how serious the damage to children can be.

"Two key spinal measurements change as the backpack load increases," NZCA spokesman Dr Simon Kelly said.

"Heavier weights cause compression of the intervertebral discs, which act as a cushion between the vertebrae (bones of the spine). In the lower spine, the disc height became smaller (reflecting greater disc compression) at heavier backpack weights. Heavier loads were also associated with increased curvature of the lower spine, either to the right or the left."

Bags should be no more than 10 percent of the child's weight, but a recent survey by the Chiropractors Association of Australia found almost half carried bags well over that mark.

Dr Kelly said parents needed to take responsibility for preserving their children's spines. "Don't buy a small child a big bag hoping they'll grow into it. They will always try and fit as much in there as they can.

"Make sure they carry their backpacks on both shoulders to spread the load and always check that the bag you're buying meets their approval. If it's not cool, they won't wear it!"

http://www.stuff.co.nz/the-press/news/3288958/Backpacks-crushing-children

Backpack safety

Kidshealth.org

Backpacks come in all sizes, colours, fabrics, and shapes and help kids of all ages express their own personal sense of style. And when used properly, they're incredibly handy.  Compared with shoulder bags, messenger bags, or purses, backpacks are better because the strongest muscles in the body — the back and the abdominal muscles — support the weight of the packs.

When worn correctly, the weight in a backpack is evenly distributed across the body, and shoulder and neck injuries are less common than if someone carried a briefcase or purse.

As practical as backpacks are, though, they can strain muscles and joints and may cause back pain if they're too heavy or are used incorrectly. Here's how to help kids find the right backpack.

Although many factors can lead to back pain — increased participation in sports or exercise, poor posture while sitting, and long periods of inactivity — some kids have backaches because they're lugging around their entire locker's worth of books, school supplies, and assorted personal items all day long. Most doctors and physical therapists recommend that kids carry no more than 10% to 15% of their body weight in their packs.

When a heavy weight, such as a backpack filled with books, is incorrectly placed on the shoulders, the weight's force can pull a child backward. To compensate, a child may bend forward at the hips or arch the back, which can cause the spine to compress unnaturally. The heavy weight might cause some kids to develop shoulder, neck, and back pain.

Read entire article: http://kidshealth.org/parent/positive/learning/backpack.html#

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SCHOOL LIFE

Loss of Rock Eisteddfod a 'disgrace'

ABC News, 9 February 2010 

The annual schools' Rock Eisteddfod Challenge has been cancelled across Australia due to a lack of sponsorship and support.

The event has been axed after three decades because reduced support was pushing ticket prices ever higher. Organisers say it was getting beyond the budgets of some families.

Rock Eisteddfod executive producer Peter Sjoquist says South Australia, Western Australia, Tasmania, the ACT and New South Wales had reduced their support, with Queensland the only state offering more.

Mr Sjoquist says it had been costing $4 million to stage the schools performance event.

"This has been 30 years, over one million students participated in the event, so we're very disappointed," he said.  "The event has such a depth in the community, it's community building and we're just devastated."

The Eisteddfod was still getting a federal contribution.

Source: http://www.abc.net.au/news/stories/2010/02/09/2813927.htm

Audio: Rock Eisteddfod organiser Peter Sjoquist tells Caroline Winter why the event is being shelved (ABC News) http://mpegmedia.abc.net.au/news/audio/audio/201002/20100209-sa-rock.mp3

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EDUCATION TAX REFUND

How to claim the education tax refund

Annette Sampson, Sydney Morning Herald, 3 February 2010

What refund is that? If you don't know, you could be among the taxpayers entitled to about $500 million in unclaimed tax breaks.

Recent figures from the Australian Tax Office show only half of all eligible families have lodged claims for education expenses in their 2008-'09 tax returns.

Treasurer Wayne Swan says many families were unaware of the education tax refund and could be missing out on a break worth up to $750 if their child is in high school and $375 for students in primary school.

With most parents having to dip into their pockets to send their kids back to school, it's important to remember to keep those receipts and claim your tax refund when tax time comes.

How does the refund work?

Read entire article for information on eligibility, how to claim for 2009-2010 and what if you forgot to claim in your return for 2008-2009: http://www.smh.com.au/news/business/money/planning/learn-something-new/2010/02/02/1264876022168.html

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AROUND THE STATES & TERRITORIES

ACT:  “MySchool”- helping rich schools get richer?

Tony Kevin, Eureka Street, 3 February 2010

The opening of the My School website last Thursday is a bracing reality check. Things that for many years were intuitively felt, and discussed anecdotally among parents and educators, have been quantified beyond doubt.

...Canberra is small enough for readers to recognise and compare the schools which are public, Catholic parochial (mostly administered by the CEO, the Catholic Education Office), and non-Catholic independent schools (NCIS). Canberra does not have any elite high-fee-paying Catholic schools. The Catholic low-fee parochial system essentially serves most of the Catholic school population.

The public system used to be similarly universal, but over the past 25-odd years there has been rapid growth in the NCIS sector, from two Anglican grammar schools to 11 NCIS primary and nine NCIS secondary schools, including an Islamic school and a few secular community schools.

...I cherish the Catholic parochial system, yet feel saddened to see the alternative public system eroding into disparate congeries of religiously affiliated and other NCIS, that seem on the face of it to be taking the academic cream of students, leaving an educationally disadvantaged school population in the public schools sector. For this is what My School-derived league tables suggest, to judge by the Canberra example.

Read entire article: http://www.eurekastreet.com.au/article.aspx?aeid=19144

ACT: Rental squeeze forces ANU students into hotels

ABC News, 8 February 2010

The Australian National University (ANU) has been forced to accommodate nearly 280 first year students in Canberra motels.

The Canberra rental market is hard to crack at any time but in February it can be near impossible as thousands of university students, government contractors and defence staff start work and study.  Real estate agents are reporting vacancy rates of less than 1 per cent.

ANU Student Association president Tully Fletcher says management is housing 279 students temporarily in motels and subsidised housing.

Mr Fletcher says the ANU has an enrolment guarantee that applies to most first year students to help find them accommodation.

"ANU has an unprecedented demand from interstate and international students this year and the university is doing everything that it can," he said.

Mr Fletcher says students who stay in the motel accommodation will pay no more than $164 which is the equivalent of the un-catered weekly rent charge on campus.

Read entire article: http://www.abc.net.au/news/stories/2010/02/08/2812875.htm

NSW: Keneally denies breaking school promise

Sydney Morning Herald, February 5, 2010 (AAP)

NSW Premier Kristina Keneally has denied she broke a promise about a school for special needs children on Sydney's north shore.  Ms Keneally said her promise to keep Dalwood open until the end of term two this year was "iron clad".

"What we are doing this year is the same as what we were doing last year," she told reporters on Friday.  The school was not shut, she said, it simply had not opened yet this year.

Education Minister Verity Firth said the school's services would be finalised early this month and operate through the first two terms of the year.

Read entire article: http://news.smh.com.au/breaking-news-national/keneally-denies-breaking-school-promise-20100205-nhf5.html

NSW: Literacy school closure mess needs urgent resolution
 
John Kaye MP, Media release: 5 February 2010
 
NSW Education Minister Verity Firth has failed to stop bureaucrats vandalising a world-leading school and residential health service for rural and remote children with learning difficulties.
 
“The future of Dalwood diagnosis and Palm Avenue school are now mired in confusion, thanks to Verity Firth losing control over the education bureaucracy.
 
“Young people from remote NSW face an uncertain future as the Education Department and its Minister continue to put out conflicting stories.
 
“The Minister has allowed the residential staff to be sacked and the health team to be broken up.  There is no site or staff for the residential program for term 1 and parents are being told it will not be an option, despite the Minister’s assertions that it will be available.
 
“Ms Firth continues to spread misinformation about the success of the unique one month residential program.”

Read entire release: www.johnkaye.org.au

NT: Charles Darwin Uni gets $10m research boost

Kristy O'Brien, ABC News, 8 February 2010

Charles Darwin University has received a further $10 million in federal funding to develop its research sector.

The university's Deputy Vice Chancellor of Research, Bob Wasson, says it is currently investigating rheumatic heart disease in Indigenous communities and environmental projects with an emphasis on climate change.

"Frankly, the problems that we face in Indigenous communities or in environmental management or in health issues, a lot of them are very specific to this region," he said.

"So you really need people who live here who understand these problems who can work on them almost on a daily basis."

Source: http://www.abc.net.au/news/stories/2010/02/08/2813505.htm

NT:  New $185,000 Bus Service to help Alice Springs students get to school

Karl Hampton, 8 February 2010

Minister for Central Australia Karl Hampton today announced that the Territory Government will begin providing a bus service for all school students to and from the Jay Creek community.

Mr Hampton said it’s important all children go to school every day and the bus service will make it easier for parents to get their children to Alice Springs schools.

“We want every child living at Jay Creek to be attending classes at school,” Mr Hampton said.

“That’s why this Government is investing $185,000 per year to help about 40 Jay Creek community students get to and from school."

Read more at http://newsroom.nt.gov.au/index.cfm?fuseaction=viewRelease&id=6514&d=5

QLD:  'Significant changes' proposed for Qld schoolchildren

ABC News, Feb 2, 2010

The Queensland Government has released a Green Paper which outlines significant changes to Queensland's education system.

The discussion paper proposes year seven become the first year of high school from 2014.

The Government is also planning a campaign to encourage more families to read to children at home, and that would be backed up by an increase in trained volunteers to read to children at school.

The document also outlines plans to review teacher training courses and merge the three existing education authorities into one body.

The restructure is expected to cost about $350 million.

 The Government says it will spend the next five months consulting Queenslanders on the proposed reforms, with community forums to be held across the state.

Read entire article: http://www.abc.net.au/news/stories/2010/02/02/2807891.htm

QLD: education changes worry rural parents group

Sam Burgess, ABC News, Feb 4, 2010

The Isolated Children's Parents' Association (ICPA) says changes to Queensland's education system could lead to less rural children completing high school or university.

The State Government's Green Paper has recommended moving year seven into high school. But ICPA Queensland president Lorraine McGuiness says that could discourage students from the bush pursuing tertiary studies.

"It'll also have an impact on families, young teenagers going away in those years - and they will be away from home for years - I find that impacts on their aspirations to go into higher education," she said.

"But then that again means more time away from home and we're already looking at low participation rates for rural and remote students in remote education."

The ICPA says changes to the 'living away from home allowance' need to be made if the State Government goes ahead with education reforms  Ms McGuiness says rural families would have to pay high school fees earlier and relief is needed.

"We also want to see that there is more funding provided to non-state schools to provide support and counselling services for those families where parents are a long way from their children and helping those children adjust to those changes," she said.

Source: http://www.abc.net.au/news/stories/2010/02/04/2809839.htm

QLD: Parents to pay for teachers

Sharyn O’Neill, the Morning Bulletin, 8th February 2010

 WHILE Marlborough State School faces becoming a one teacher school, parents are considering paying for more teaching time out of their own pockets.

LNP Member for Mirani, Ted Malone, said the school was set to have just one teacher covering from Prep to Year 7 in a single classroom, because of lowered enrolments.  “It’s really no wonder that Queensland students are performing so poorly when there is so little support for teachers in small schools,” Mr Malone said.

Other schools in the region, including Allenstown State School, may also lose a teacher because of lower than expected numbers on Day 8.  Day 8 is considered D-day for schools, when enrolments were counted and teacher numbers adjusted.

“If the Day 8 figures are too low for a second teacher, the Marlborough P&C Association is looking to fund a second teacher themselves — a ridiculous situation for this school to be in.”

Mr Malone is calling on the revision of those Day 8 figures for very small schools like Marlborough.  “Despite the number of qualified primary school teachers who cannot find work, teacher aides will be forced to fill the gaps and students will have to work independently at Marlborough to meet the eight different year level lesson plans set by the government.

Read entire article: http://www.themorningbulletin.com.au/story/2010/02/08/parents-to-pay-for-teachers/

QLD: Childcare website to name, shame

AAP, February 09, 2010

A NEW website to name and shame Queensland childcare centres in breach of standards has gone live.   Premier Anna Bligh told state parliament today the website would provide detailed information about childcare services that had seriously or repeatedly contravened government standards.

Any breaches recorded from February 1, including revoked or suspended licences, would be posted on the website for all to see, she said.

"We are doing this, very simply, because parents want to be reassured and have a right to know that those centres charged with caring for their children are up to scratch," Ms Bligh said.

"With the click of a mouse, parents can now easily find if their local childcare service has seriously or repeatedly contravened childcare laws, and if so, what action was taken by the government and by the centre itself."

The website is available at: http://www.education.qld.gov.au/earlychildhood/compliance/enforcement.html  

Read entire article: http://www.adelaidenow.com.au/news/breaking-news/childcare-website-to-name-shame/story-e6frea73-1225828283450

TAS: Libs promise $30m education overhaul if elected

ABC News, 8 February 2010

The State Opposition has promised to overhaul the controversial Tasmania Tomorrow education system.  The Opposition has promised a $30 million education package if elected, targeting the performance of primary and high schools to boost retention rates.

They have also promised to extend country high schools to year 12 and spend more money on professional development for teachers.

Tasmania's Education Union has welcomed the Liberals' policy.

Read entire article: http://www.abc.net.au/news/stories/2010/02/08/2812713.htm

WA: Catholic schools force religion as TEE subject

Anthony Deceglie, Sunday Times, 30 January 2010

CATHOLIC schools are forcing Year 12 students to sit a TEE religion subject that will count towards their university entrance score.   Outraged parents are taking their children out of Catholic schools because they believe the now mandatory Religion and Life subject will create an unfair workload on students.

Students already studying courses like physics and chemistry will have an extra three-hour exam to cram for. And non-religious students will be forced to rigorously study Catholic values if they wish to get into university.

Catholic Education Office of WA director Ron Dullard conceded the decision had upset some parents.  "Initially, there was some concern," he said. "I don't think the parents totally understood the implications that it actually does count towards their (child's) TEE and university entrance - and the fact that, irrespective of whether they were doing the exam, they still had to devote that amount of time as part of the policy of their Catholic education obligation to religion anyway."

One southern suburbs parent told The Sunday Times they had pulled their son out of a Catholic school.  "My son didn't want the added pressure of juggling his religion exam studies with subjects like physics and chemistry," she said.

Read entire article: http://www.perthnow.com.au/news/catholic-schools-force-religion-as-tee-subject/story-e6frg12c-1225825009570

WA: Childcare offenders exposed in new online service

PerthNow, January 20, 2010

PARENTS will be able to check whether childcare providers have been prosecuted or have breached childcare regulations, with the launch of a new online reference list.

Community Services Minister Robyn McSweeney has announced the online availability of information related to prosecutions and serious breaches of current childcare regulations by State childcare providers.

Mrs McSweeney said all serious breaches and prosecutions from June 2008 relating to the current Child Care Services Act 2007would be made available from today.

This move follows consultation held by Mrs McSweeney with the childcare sector late last year and will be the first time the information is made publicly available in the State.

The Minister also signalled the release of the Compliance and Enforcement Framework for all WA childcare providers seeking to encourage voluntary compliance in the sector, with a strong but flexible enforcement regime.

To access information relating to serious breaches and prosecutions of all WA long day care, out-of-hours school care and family day care providers as well as a register of all licensed services, visit http://www.communities.wa.gov.au/childcare.

Source: http://www.perthnow.com.au/news/western-australia/childcare-offenders-exposed-in-new-online-service/story-e6frg13u-1225821540558

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CONFERENCES

“Leading Change – Living for One Planet”: 16th Biennial Conference

National Australian Association for Environmental Education

27-30 September 2010, Australian National University, Canberra ACT

The Association aims to deliver a conference that:

• Meets the needs of education for sustainability practitioners
• Brings together the education, environment and business sectors to support a green skilled workforce
• Encourages youth (15 -25) to come together and develop an agreed vision for a sustainable future 
• Showcases organisations and individuals that demonstrate leadership in reducing their footprint at work, home and play
• Provides direction for the second half of the UN Decade for Education for Sustainable Development - where do we want to be in 2014?
• Is of low environmental impact

Five key themes have been identified that will provide broad coverage of environmental education and its economic, political and social importance to communities.  We urge you to submit an abstract as soon as possible and look forward to meeting you in 2010.

For details visit: https://www.conferenceco.com.au/aaee

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REMINDERS

19-21 February - SEAA / SASOSE Conference - Hindmarsh, SA - http://www.seaa.org.au/2010conference/

21 February - International Mother Language Day - http://portal.unesco.org/culture/en/ev.php-URL_ID=38724&URL_DO=DO_TOPIC&URL_SECTION=201.html

22-23 February - Green Universities - Melbourne, VIC - http://www.informa.com.au/conferences/education/green-universities

4-6 March - Reggio Children, Eton House - Singapore - http://childcarewa.com/files/admin-images/Reggio_Conference_Date_Claimer.pdf  

5 March - Schools Clean Up Day - http://www.cleanup.org.au/au/

7 March - Clean Up Australia Day - http://www.cleanup.org.au/au/

8-15 March - Students as agents of change online conference - http://www.cybertext.net.au/inet2009_student.php

21 March - Harmony Day - http://www.harmony.gov.au/harmony-day/

24-26 March - Going Global 4 - London, UK - http://www.britishcouncil.org/goingglobal.htm

6-9 April - Digital Diversity Conference - Melbourne, VIC - http://acec2010.info/

7-9 April - Career Development Association of Australia Annual Conference - Adelaide, SA - http://www.onqconferences.com.au/pages/CDAA2010.php

8-11 April - Global Language Convention - Melbourne, VIC - http://www.wesleycollege.net/convention.cfm

9-10 April - National Coalition against Bullying Conference - Melbourne, VIC - http://www.amf.org.au/NCABConference/

19-20 April - Kidsafe Playground Conference - Perth, WA - http://www.kidsafewa.com.au/

19-21 April - Language Education: An Essential for a Global Economy - Singapore - http://www.relc.org.sg/seminar.html

29-30 April - 8th Annual Higher Education Summit - Adelaide, SA - http://www.highereducationsummit.com.au/

25-28 May - Inclusive Learning Technologies Conference 2010 - Gold Coast, QLD - http://www.spectronicsinoz.com/conference/

4-5 June - Early childhood education conference 2010 Melbourne, VIC - http://www.togetherwegrow.com.au/2010registration.html

4-7 July - National Conference for Teachers of English & Literacy - Perth, WA - http://www.englishliteracyconference.com.au/index.php?id=46&year=10

6-9 July - 17th International Conference on Learning - Hong Kong - http://thelearner.com/Conference-2010/

7-9 July - Australian Institute of Family Studies Conference - Melbourne, VIC - http://www.aifs.gov.au/conference

21-24 July - Second Paris International Conference on Education, Economy & Society - Paris, France - http://education-conferences.org/default.aspx

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ACSSO EMAIL NEWSLETTERS

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• Ensemble - Music Education : http://www.ensemble.org.au/news.htm (monthly) 
• Family School Partners : http://www.familyschool.org.au/news/ (monthly) 
• Public Education Voice : http://www.acsso.org.au/pev.htm (quarterly) 

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