ACSSO PUBLICATIONS

(click on a heading to jump to that publication type)

Directory of Family Resources in Literacy & Numeracy

Published by ACSSO and the Australian Parents Council, this Directory provides access to materials that support parent involvement in literacy and numeracy learning of children … read more

Directory of Resources in Languages Education

This Directory was developed in response to requests from parents and others in school communities for a compilation of links to readily accessible online information and resources in this important learning area.

Because it is well established that languages learning contributes to literacy skills development, this can be seen as a complementary resource to the Directory of Family Resources (above), particularly in respect of information about raising children bi-lingually from a young age. read more

Literacy Leaflet and poster: Parents Make the World of Difference

Designed to highlight the importance of literacy and the vital role parents can play in helping their children develop high standards of literacy, starting from very early days onwards . This material was produced collaboratively by ACSSO and APC with assistance from the Department of Education, Employment and Workplace Relations … read more

Language Leaflets: “It is important to keep your first language”

To mark International Mother Language Day 2008 and the launch of the UN International Year of Languages, ACSSO and APC are producing this leaflet in

English
Arabic
Mandarin
Vietnamese
Italian and
Greek

Schools and organizations can email to order free supplies.

Research Report: “Attitudes to the Study of languages in Australian Schools” (June 2007)

A national 2002 survey of the state of languages learning made the point that the attitudes and expectations of parents and families help form those of students and are a key element in the success of school languages programs. In 2006 ACSSO and APC commissioned Solved at McConchie Pty Ltd to conduct a national survey of parent and student attitudes ‘ and also to compare and contrast these with the attitudes of teachers, principals, education bureaucrats and tertiary language instructors. A national discussion paper was released in April 2007 for comment, and the final Report was published, with a range of recommendations, in June 2007. read more

Research Report: “Views of Members of the Executive of the Australian Council of State School Organisations (ACSSO) and Australian Parents Council (APC) on Studies of Asia in Australian Schools” (January 2006)

In 2005 the Asia Education Foundation in partnership with ACSSO and APC, commissioned Solved at McConchie Pty Ltd to undertake a scoping study to explore the views of members of the executive members of both ACSSO and APC in relation to a variety of issues bearing upon the studies of Asia in schools. Because the executive members of both organisations form an extensive network of people drawn from all areas of Australia, they form a representative national “focus group” for the purpose of exploring their views in ways that can assist in developing initial strategies aimed at promoting informed awareness of the importance of Asian studies. read more

Research Report: Assessing & Reporting Student Achievement.

The national debate around the purpose, methods and relevance of assessing and reporting on student achievement has been rumbling on for decades right down to the present day, is currently right back on the agenda and doubtless will continue into the future.

ACSSO and APC, with funding support from the Australian Government, conducted extensive and ground breaking research into the needs, expectations and priorities of parents and families right across the country, in 1995-1996.

The published Report established a set of key principles which should underpin, shape and form the processes of assessment and reporting.

Because of the cyclical nature of the national debate, that framework of principles still reflects the viewpoint of most parents, the the ground covered by the Report remains valid and useful.

Similarly, when the national debate was again ignited in 2003, ACSSO clearly restated its position on the appropriate nature and purpose of assessment and reporting in An Open Letter to the Minister for Education”. That document effectively operates as an “appendix” to the 1996 Report, developing some of those points in greater detail.

Download Assessing and Reporting Student Achievement: A Report of the National Consensus

Download An Open Letter to the Minister for Education