What's newIndigenous languages 'thriving' in Dubbo public schoolsGrowing numbers of students are learning Wiradjuri, the Aboriginal language spoken in north-west NSW. See article in the Sydney Morning Herald 1 March 2015. Further discussion of Australian Government report on teacher educationAn opinion article in Inside Story 22 February 2015 discusses Action Now: Classroom Ready Teachers, the Australian Government report on teacher education. See also earlier commentary on the report. NAPLAN tests to be marked by computerThe Australian Curriculum, Assessment and Reporting Authority (ACARA) has announced that it is developing a computer program 'capable of marking students’ compositions and creative writing': see article in the Herald Sun 25 February 2015. Victorian Government ends rating scale for teachers, confirms opposition to performance payThe Victorian Minister for Education, James Merlino, has sent a letter to schools announcing the end of the rating scale for teacher performance reviews, and confirming the Government's opposition to performance pay. See article in The Age 26 February 2015. Victorian Government tightens protections against child abuse in schoolsAmendments to the Education and Training Reform Act, introduced into the Victorian parliament, require all Victorian schools as a condition of registration – including non-government schools – to implement policies that better manage the risk of child abuse and respond to abuse allegations. Schools failing to implement suitable policies and procedures will risk having their registration suspended or cancelled. See ministerial statement 25 February and article in EducationHQ 26 February 2015. New course for primary maths specialisationThe University of Western Sydney is introducing a Graduate Certificate of Primary Mathematics Education, aimed at producing specialist primary mathematics educators. The fully online course will be available from mid 2015 to pre-service and in-service teachers. See short article on the 21st Century Learning blog, 24 February 2015. The relevance of Big Data in educationA short article in Teacher 20 February 2015 discusses issues surrounding 'Big Data' and education data mining. Concern over tertiary entrance scores for recent teacher graduates in QueenslandConcerns have been raised over the OP (tertiary entrance) scores of recent graduates from teaching courses in Queensland. See article in the Courier Mail 25 February 2015. Public forum on education in TasmaniaA public forum in Tasmania has discussed ways to improve the State's school and university systems. See article in The Mercury 27 February 2015. More funding for travelling show children's schoolThe Australian Minister for Education and Training, Christopher Pyne, has announced additional funding to support primary school-aged children from Queensland, New South Wales and Victoria of the National School for Travelling Show Children enrolled at the Dubbo School of Distance. Follow Curriculum and Leadership Journal on TwitterFor news updates between editions of the journal, follow Curriculum and Leadership Journal on Twitter. |