What's newQueensland Government publishes statewide NAPLAN resultsThe Queensland Government has released a statewide compilation of the National Assessment Program – Literacy and Numeracy (NAPLAN) 2008 results for students in Years 3, 5, 7 and 9, available online via the Queensland Studies Authority. See Minister's media statement 8 August 2009. See also articles in the Courier Mail 8 August and 10 August 2009, and further reports in the Brisbane Times, Gladstone Observer and Queensland Times all 11 August 2009. On the general issue of school performance reporting see articles in The Australian 10 August and 13 August 2009. ACEL and ACE to explore mergerThe Boards of the Australian Council for Educational Leaders (ACEL) and the Australian College of Educators (ACE) have set up a joint task force to analyse the advantages and disadvantages of a merger between the two organisations. Matters to be considered by the task force include a more coordinated national approach to teacher registration, accreditation and recognition, and to a range of other educational issues now being considered by the Council of Australian Governments. WA public schools invited to apply for independent statusThe Western Australian Government has invited schools in the state's public system to apply for status as 'Independent Public Schools'. The schools would have greater responsibility for principals to manage the school's assets and budget; flexibility to adopt a range of curriculums, for example the International Baccalaureate up to Year 10; ability for the principal to exclude a student from the school without the need for centralised approval; and flexibility to select all staff. The schools would continue to access system resources such as professional learning and employee support services. The first intake of Independent Public Schools will be announced at the end of Term 3 and will operate from the start of 2010. See media release from Premier Colin Barnett and Education Minister Liz Constable 12 August 2009. See report 12 August and further report 13 August 2009 on ABC News, and also statement from the Australian Education Union, article in WA Today, and report in The West Australian, all 12 August 2009. Public-private partnership schools to open in VictoriaVictorian Education Minister Bronwyn Pike has announced the appointment of principals to lead Victoria's first five public-private partnership schools, due to open in Melbourne's growth corridors next year. A further six of the schools are to open in 2011. The public-private partnership will see Axiom Education Victoria design, build, finance and maintain the schools for 26 years, as part of the Victorian Schools Plan. See Minister's media release 11 August 2009. Benefits of hub schools examined in South AustraliaAn article in the Adelaide Advertiser (AdelaideNow) 11 August 2009 considers the potential benefits and limitations of the six 'super' or 'hub' schools currently planned for construction in South Australia. SA school leaver destination data publishedSouth Australian Education Minister Jane Lomax-Smith has announced the publication of the 2008 Survey of South Australian Year 12 School Leavers. The Survey found that 94% of school leavers in 2007 were studying, working or training in the year after leaving school, and nearly four in every ten school leavers were studying at university. Some of the other findings cover vocational training, subjects studied at tertiary level, and gender breakdowns of participation in further education. See Minister's media statement 3 August 2009. Cyber safety grants available for SA schoolsThe South Australian Government has invited schools to apply for a share of $100,000 in cyber safety grants. The grants are open to government, Catholic and independent schools and submissions close on Friday 16 October. The inaugural grants program is part of ongoing efforts over the past five years to address issues stemming from the misuse of technology. Submissions for grants funding must complement the National Safe Schools Framework or the Australian Communications and Media Authority Cybersmart Schools Gateway. See media statement 11 August 2009 from Education Minister Jane Lomax-Smith. Further discussion of funding for school renewalIssues surrounding the allocation of Australian Government funding for school renewal in New South Wales and Queensland are considered in articles in The Daily Telegraph and Courier Mail, both 12 August 2009. |