Concern surrounds a move towards the automated marking of NAPLAN English exams. The Independent Education Union Australia this week released a statement opposing the proposal, which it says will undermine teacher professionalism, promote poor practice, and induce worry in parents. ...
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Let kids be kids?
Too many people see learning and play as opposites. Quantum Physics for Babies. Some find it hard to believe, but it is indeed a real book, and other books which introduce abstract scientific concepts to young minds have followed. It’s ...
More »Mandatory testing for Year 1 students
The Federal government has released a landmark report which it says indicates the need for Year 1 students to undertake mandatory literacy and numeracy tests. Responding to the report, Minister for Education and Training Simon Birmingham said testing Year 1 ...
More »VR Gets real
No longer just for games, virtual reality is altering our views on learning. Virtual reality (VR) is set to change the teaching landscape in Australia. It will be the tipping point for innovation in education. VR can revolutionise education through ...
More »Victoria to introduce state uniform policy for girls
Following Western Australia's lead, Victoria will make it mandatory for public schools to offer uniform alternatives for girls. The move comes after several campaigns by residents, and a push to give school girls the option to trade the traditional dress or skirt ...
More »TFA program responds to criticism
A recent evaluation report into the Teach for Australian (TFA) program has been met with criticism by lobby group Save Our Schools (SOS). SOS said in an education policy brief that the teacher training pathway was failing in its mission ...
More »Indigenous scholar to help ‘close the gap’ from afar
David Unaipon - the Indigenous man on the Australian $50 note - would be proud. Professor Lester-Irabinna Rigney is about to give an inaugural lecture at King’s College London (KCL) bearing his name. Rigney, in addition to being a UniSA education ...
More »Teenage girls and boys want gendered jobs
A new Australian Institute of Family Studies (AIFS) report has shown when it comes to career goals, boys will be boys, and girls, girls. Using nationally representative data from the LSAC study, they looked at the career aspirations of 14 ...
More »Career advisors failing school kids
Careers advisors are often portrayed on screen as troubled and unprofessional. Think Valerie Marks from the MTV series Awkward, who tends to overshare with students, or David Gold, the alcoholic protagonist from the 2014 Canadian dark comedy flick Guidance. The ...
More »Who are the people steering our children’s futures?
According to who you speak to, Gonski 2.0 may be a godsend. But it's how that money is spent that's crucial. The government knows this from experience: previously, it has spent more on schools for poorer outcomes. That's why it has ...
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