New publications

This text explores the difficulties around defining 'historical thinking', as well as how educators might go about teaching it. Drawing on a collection of personal, national and international studies in history education, it focuses on what it means to think critically about the past, and examines how historical expertise intersects with the pedagogy of history education. It suggests ways educators can rethink their practice by presenting benchmarks of what students should learn and do to become critical historical actors and citizens in a context characterised by global instability, uncertainty and rivalry over claims about the past, present and future. Adapted from publisher's description. See also essay review by Bruce Vandsledright.

Us and Them is a collection of 12 interdisciplinary essays describing the results of a variety of research projects relating to Muslims and inter-faith relations in Australia. The four chapters in Section Two consider the results of a national survey on attitudes toward Islam and Muslims among Australian secondary students, examining issues including students' perceptions of Muslims, and how they are influenced by gender and by personal friendships. One chapter discusses the role of Australian schools in educating students about Islam and Muslims. Adapted from publisher's description. Available from the publisher and also through the University of Melbourne bookshop and the Co-op Bookshop, La Trobe University.

This report examines trends and issues in teacher recruitment and retention in Great Britain. Drawing on comparisons with education systems in other developed countries, including in Europe, the USA, and New Zealand, a number of recommendations are made. Academic standards required to enter teaching should be more stringent, with additional degree requirements and the introduction of a probationary teaching year. Government intervention in classroom teaching should be minimised to allow teachers, as experts, to design lessons and support their students' learning as appropriate. Issues of low remuneration should be addressed, with the introduction of a minimum level of payment on top of which additional sums can be added as per individuals' contracts. Structural issues, such as provision of selective schools, should be addressed to attract more capable applicants to teaching. The full report is available online.

This report draws on research undertaken to develop a series of recommendations to promote the active citizenship and democratic participation of young Australians. A key finding was that young people were frustrated by perceptions of being unacknowledged or irrelevant, and wanted opportunities to engage in political processes. As a result, there is a need for an investigation into the democratic engagement of young people, with findings and suggested strategies to be reported in federal parliament; and research into young people's participatory strategies and the potentials of e-democracy. In addition, civics education should be included as a stand-alone subject, and should be action-based; educators should receive support and professional development in ensuring the efficacy of the delivery of the subject. The full report is available online.

The result of the 4th National Survey of Secondary Students and Sexual Health, this report draws on data from 3,000 Year 10 or 12 students to examine issues of sexual knowledge, behaviour and health. Students demonstrated high levels of knowledge around HIV/AIDS and many STIs; however, knowledge of hepatitis, chlamydia, HPV and cervical cancer was generally poor. The majority of students reported some form of sexual activity; rates of intercourse and numbers of partners increased. Reports of unwanted sex significantly increased, and young women's positive feelings about sex had decreased since the previous survey. Condom use remained stable, while use of other contraceptives increased. Students generally reported good health, with drug use and incidences of STIs quite low. Although alcohol consumption had dropped, it still remained high. Most students reported having sought information about their health from sources such as parents, friends, school programs, pamphlets and doctors. The full report is available online.

This report draws on qualitative and quantitative data to provide an overview of the education systems of 31 European countries, and how these systems are dealing with common educational challenges. Identified issues include addressing demographic changes resulting in a decrease in the school-aged population; improving access to, availability of and participation in pre-primary education; trends toward raising the school-leaving age to guarantee the acquisition of core competences; the development of widespread and improved professional development programs; growing school autonomy; and ways of measuring quality through external evaluation. The full report is available online.