What's newNAPLAN tests attract widespread attentionIn the past week NAPLAN tests have been conducted across Australia for students in Years 3, 5, 7 and 9. For national coverage of events surrounding the tests see, for example, article in The Canberra Times and article in The Age both 13 May, article in The Australian 14 May, and opinion in The Sydney Morning Herald 12 May. For coverage focused on individual jurisdictions see article in the NSW Daily Telegraph and article in The Sydney Morning Herald both 14 May; article in The Age 14 May and report in The Herald Sun 13 May; article in The Courier Mail 13 May; and report related to a Western Australian school 12 May on Yahoo.com. See also statement 13 May from South Australian Education Minister Jay Weatherill, and article in The Australian 14 May 2010. Australian Department of Education, Employment and Workplace Relations budget for 2010–2011The Australian Department of Education, Employment and Workplace Relations (DEEWR) has published budget papers for 2010–2011. See also article in The Canberra Times 13 May 2010. Queensland Sustainable Schools website introducedThis week Queensland's Education and Training Minister Geoff Wilson launched the Queensland Sustainable Schools website, which will allow schools to measure, monitor and reduce their resource use. The site will initially be used by 300 designated Earth Smart Science schools and will be rolled out to 1,000 schools over three years. It is a partnership project with the Australian Department of Environment, Water, Heritage and the Arts through the Australian Sustainable Schools Initiative. See the minister's statement 13 May 2010. Draft Indigenous Education Action Plan discussedAn Indigenous Education Action Plan is due to be considered by the next meeting of the Council of Australian Governments (COAG). An article in The Sydney Morning Herald 12 May 2010 has described public responses to a draft version of the plan. New Zealand Education Minister examines incentives for teachersNew Zealand Education Minister Anne Tolley has indicated that the government is considering an incentive scheme as a means to reward quality teaching, but is not considering the introduction of incentive-based pay. See report on Stuff.co.nz 10 May 2010. Call for presentations to ACEL/CCEAM conferenceEducators are invited to submit proposals for workshop presentations at the CCEAM and ACEL International Conference in October 2010. The conference, titled Hosting and Harvesting, will be held at the Sydney Convention Centre. Applications regarding presentations should be emailed by 31 May 2010 to conference@acel.org.au. Injuries, illnesses and stress on the rise in WARising levels of physical and mental stress have been blamed for an increase in the number of compensation cases involving Western Australian teachers. See article in The West Australian (yahoo.com) 14 May 2010. Review of NSW Year 10 School CertificateThe NSW Board of Studies is to review the State's Year 10 School Certificate as part of changes to the NSW school leaving age. See statement from the Board of Studies, report on ABC News and commentary in The Daily Telegraph, all 13 May 2010. Australian Volunteers International seeking educatorsAustralian Volunteers International (AVI) invites professionals to apply for current positions in Asia, the Pacific, Africa and the Middle East. Positions are available in the areas of VET, education management, special education, curriculum development, ESL, secondary teaching, teacher training and early childhood education. Successful applicants receive financial support to cover costs including airfares, accommodation, a living allowance and insurance. See AVI website for further details. Volunteer role available as education coordinator for Human Rights Arts & Film Festival, VictoriaThe Victoria-based Human Rights Arts & Film Festival (HRAFF) is looking for a volunteer to fill the role of Education and Outreach Program Coordinator. Applications close 23 May 2010. Further information is available on the HRAFF website. Volunteers are also sought for the roles of office manager and human resources manager. |