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Microsoft-funded School of the Future

Recently opened, Philadelphia’s new School of the Future has laptops for all students, swipe card access to lockers, a wireless and paperless environment. The ‘first of its kind’ technologically, the school was built under the guidance of Microsoft personnel, and with the financial assistance of Microsoft and other companies. Students are admitted by lottery. See article in The Philadelphia Inquirer, 8 September 2006.

Resistance to new A-E report cards continues

An article in the Sunday Age, 10 September 2006 describes continuing opposition from some schools to the implementation of A–E report cards, particularly for P–2 students. Nearly 1,000 schools in New South Wales are said to be planning to refuse to implement the report cards. In Victoria, Spensely Street Primary School has formally requested an exemption from using the report cards, and the AEU Victorian branch states that another 12 schools may also refuse to adopt the system for P–2 students.

Australian History Summit documents available online

The Minister for Education, Science and Training, Julie Bishop, met with 23 leading Australian historians, public figures who promote the study of history and educational leaders at the Australian History Summit in Canberra in August. Documents from the summit are available online from the Minister's website.

Further ICT funding for New Zealand schools

The New Zealand Government will invest $9.6 million over the next three years to help 30 clusters of schools integrate ICT into teaching programs. The funding will cover a range of initiatives for the schools, such as the development of online technologies to enable community information sharing; interactive whiteboards; development of online voice over and chatrooms for teachers; and student 'e-portfolios' to improve transition from primary to intermediate school. See Ministerial media release, 14 September 2006.

More boys staying at school for longer in South Australia

In South Australia, new figures show a rise in retention rates for boys. More boys are undertaking the South Australian Certificate of Education. State-wide school retention figures show that 64 per cent of male students continued at school from Year 8 in 2001 to Year 12 in 2005, up from a low of 58.8 per cent in 1999. It compares to 61.2 per cent in 2004. See Ministerial media release, 7 September 2006.

Work experience opportunities for New Zealand secondary students

The Gateway fund offers New Zealand senior secondary students work experience placements at over 50 industries and hundreds of businesses. Schools may apply through the Gateway website to be involved in the project.

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