New publications

The House of Representatives Standing Committee on Education and Employment has released a report on school libraries and teacher librarians in Australia's government and non-government schools. The report investigates the issues of role, adequacy and resourcing of school libraries and teacher librarians in Australia. The report focuses on the impact of government policies and investments on school libraries, the potential of school libraries and teacher librarians to contribute to improved educational outcomes, and the recruitment and development of teacher librarians. The report states that 'having access to electronic information can never replace the contributions to learning provided by teacher librarians. The role of school information services and teacher librarians are key factors in the improved delivery of curriculum outcomes, attainment of the goals of education, promotion of literacy and reading, information literacy, technology use in schools and the curriculum, cyber-safety education, provision of print and digital resources and lifelong learning'. The 163‐page report also looks at partnering and supporting school libraries and teacher librarians with other libraries. The Committee makes 11 recommendations in the report. They include the funding of a core set of online database resources to be made available to all Australian schools; gathering statistical information about teacher librarians for the My School website; commissioning a workforce gap analysis of teacher librarians across Australia; and examining pathways into the profession and ongoing training requirements. Adapted from the Committee's media statement 23 May 2011.

Recent statistics provide a picture of selected aspects of Australian families in 2011. The report first explores some of the demographic and social changes affecting family life, and including changes to work patterns. The focus then turns to participation in community life through voluntary work and caring for others, expectations about the availability of support in times of need, and government assistance to families and individuals. The final sections of the report explore economic wellbeing and life satisfaction. Adapted from the publisher's description, which links to the full report online (1.3MB).

A group of practising teachers and university tutors offer suggestions on cross-curricular approaches to primary teaching, focusing on history and geography and values education. Individual chapters link history and mathematics, geography and language, geography and art, and geography and ICT. 'Comparing my life today with someone's in the past' covers history, geography, literacy, mathematics, science, art, design and technology. Other topics include environmental values, geography and global citizenship, and 'what it means for primary-aged children to be internationally minded'. A companion website contains further examples.
Adapted from the publisher's description and table of contents.

This book focuses on the vulnerabilities of youngsters to be bullied, especially those with learning disabilities, attention deficit hyperactive disorder, Asperger syndrome and gifted abilities, and also discusses the tendencies for these children to become bullies. It provides a view of how children with special needs can become easy targets for bullies. The book also shows how adults can inadvertently facilitate development of victim behaviour in children or contribute to the development of bully personalities. This book examines: bullying styles, how teachers can prevent and stop bullying, methods for intervening early before a negative dynamic progresses into middle or high school, strategies for working with overprotective parents, and a '90-Second-a-Day Self-Esteem Prescription Plan' to improve children's self-views. Adapted from the publisher's description.

In a range of cases studies, practising teachers show how they have managed challenging or disruptive behaviour, and outcomes. These examples highlight the difference teachers can make to their students' behaviour, attitude, self-esteem and peer acceptance. Topics include finding a way back from inappropriate behaviour; dealing with very challenging behaviour on a daily basis; creating a peaceful school and developing positive practice. The edition includes new chapters on working with confrontational and angry parents and managing anger in ourselves and our children. Adapted from publisher's description.

This online handbook is written to help New Zealand schools develop an individual approach to teaching their gifted and talented students. It also aims to help Australian schools, particularly in the challenge of creating a coodinated whole-school approach to the teaching and learning of GAT students. The site's material is a combination of academic research and practical implementation. The handbook is available online.

Attitudes of employers and recruiters may be influenced by negative stereotypes of older people, according to this paper. It clarifies the concepts of 'ageism' and age discrimination, and examines current legal recognition and protection of 'age' in Australia and at the international level. It explores how age discrimination can appear in the everyday working lives of mature-aged workers, in forms such as access to training, promotions and flexible work practices and age-based bullying. The paper describes psychological costs that can result from discrimination against mature-aged workers. For example, one mature-aged teacher 'who lost her position after being told that there were too many older teachers at the school' declared that she 'lost a sense of who I was right there and then'. The paper also considers economic and social costs.