New publications

In March 1997, all State, Territory and Commonwealth education ministers agreed on the national goal that every child leaving primary school should be numerate and able to read, write and spell at an appropriate level. To provide focus for this goal, ministers also agreed to a sub-goal: that every child commencing school from 1998 will achieve a minimum acceptable literacy and numeracy standard within four years. To help support the achievement of these goals, ministers agreed to the implementation of the National Literacy and Numeracy Plan. Its essential features are: early assessment and intervention for students at risk of not achieving minimum required standards; development of national benchmarks for literacy and numeracy for each of years 3, 5 and 7; assessment of student progress against these benchmarks; national reporting of benchmark data; and professional development for teachers. Education authorities in all States and Territories, assisted by the Commonwealth, have been engaged in implementing these elements of the plan since its formulation. This report provides national reporting of benchmark data for 2005 and follows on from earlier editions of the Report (adapted from Report's Introduction). For immediate commentary on the report see the following media releases, all 27 March 2007: Higher Standards needed in Literacy and Numeracy from the Australian Government Minister for Education, Science and Training, Julie Bishop; Improving student literacy, from Tasmanian Education Minister David Bartlett; and 2006 NT Literacy And Numeracy Results from Northern Territory Minister for Employment, Education and Training, Paul Henderson. See also media release, 28 March 2007, from the Australian Education Union.

The book aims to cover the major areas of concern to subject leaders in schools, including leadership styles, managing staff, managing pupil performance, strategic planning, curriculum development and coping with problems. Chapter titles include 'The role of the subject head of department', 'Different leadership styles', 'Managing staff', 'Managing student performance (using data)', 'Dealing with accountability', 'Managing professional development', 'Departmental planning', 'Teamwork', 'Learning from experience', 'Coping with problems', 'Curriculum development' and 'Your role in the bigger picture'. (Adapted from the publisher's description.)

Principals must be knowledgeable about students, curriculum, teacher performance and the community they serve, while at the same time able to manage a myriad of daily activities. Managerial duties often leave little time for principals to engage in reflective thinking and proactive planning. Learning to Lead is organised around ten ideas deemed essential to effective school leadership. This book aims to inspire and encourage school leaders to reflect on their work, to look beneath the surface of what they do to examine what really matters and to fine-tune their practice to build their capacity to truly make a difference in schools. Topics include creating a vision for the school, building trusting relationships, creating highly effective teams, nurturing potential, leaders as risk-takers, change and transition, leading in a crisis and respecting and valuing differences. (Adapted from the publisher's description.)

Published jointly with the USA's National Staff Development Council (NSDC), this book outlines guidelines for ensuring productive meetings in schools and other learning communities. The book shows readers how to determine whether to have a meeting and how to help groups make collaborative decisions, and suggests ways to develop action plans. Day-to-day aspects of planning and running meetings are covered, such as creating an agenda, ideas for engaging and motivating groups and establishing efficient procedures. Alternatives to traditional meetings are also explored. The book is written for principals, leading teachers and those involved in staff development and training, and aims to be relevant to all levels of the school, from Board to grade-level meetings. (Adapted from publisher's description.)