What's newNAPLAN writing test enhanced to include two promptsThis year’s NAPLAN writing assessment will have two writing prompts: one for Years 3 and 5, and a different prompt for Years 7 and 9, instead of the previous single prompt for all year levels. See report in ACARA News 12 February 2015. Rise in formal withdrawals from NAPLANAn article in The Advertiser 3 February 2015 reports on rising numbers of students being withdrawn from NAPLAN tests. New Minister for Education in QueenslandKate Jones has been appointed as Minister for Education in the incoming Queensland Government. Effective mathematics education strategies for students with Down syndromeResearch in Victoria and the ACT has found that effective support for students with Down syndrome in learning mathematics in inclusive classrooms addresses the skilful adjustment of the mathematics program. See media release from the Australian Council for Educational Research (ACER), 4 December 2014. Regional school enrolments boosted by new education policy: Tasmanian GovernmentTasmania's Minister for Education, Jeremy Rockliff, has praised the results of a new policy introducing an extended senior curriculum in six regional Tasmanian schools. See report on ABC News 3 February 2014. Teaching staff trained to help students in remote schools with reading and writingOver 300 school staff including principals, teachers and teacher aides have received intensive training in new, 'back to basics' approaches to reading and writing that will help disadvantaged students in 34 remote schools in Western Australia and the Northern Territory. See statement from the Australian Minister for Education, Christopher Pyne, 11 February 2015. Chinese Teacher Training Centre to close in VictoriaUniversity of Melbourne's Chinese Teacher Training Centre is to close after five years operation. An article in The Age 4 February 2015 discusses issues influencing the closure, including loss of funding, and the challenges faced by students who are not from Chinese language backgrounds, who compete academically against native Chinese speakers. |