PARENTS AND LITERACY

Shush, folks, we're trying to read

Anna Patty, Sydney Morning Herald, 5 February 2010

Children with language difficulties should be allowed to get a word in while their parents are reading to them for their language skills to improve.

A new study by the University of Sydney has found that children with below-average language skills performed almost as well as their normally developing peers after their parents changed the way they interacted with them.

Susan Colmar, a lecturer in the faculty of education and social work, said that while the benefits of reading books to children were well known, children with language difficulties could make big improvements if their parents stopped long enough to allow the children to discuss what was on the page.

The study of 36 children aged four and five from disadvantaged backgrounds in Sydney's western suburbs confirmed the findings of an earlier study of 14 children with disabilities. The new research was conducted over 12 months from October 2008, more than two years after the earlier study.

Dr Colmar said the latest research included a comparison group of normally developing children. They were compared to a group of children whose parents were taught to pause and ask questions while reading books to their children.

Redad more at http://www.smh.com.au/lifestyle/back-to-school/shush-folks-were-trying-to-read-20100204-ngar.html

Less talk from parents can encourage more speech from children, study shows

University of Sydney Media Release, 4 February 2010

A University of Sydney study has found children with well below average language skills performed almost as well as their normally developing peers just four months after their parents made a few simple changes in the way they interacted with them.

Researchers worked with four- and five-year-olds attending DET NSW preschools in the Mount Druitt area, and their parents. They taught the parents (mostly mothers) of children with language difficulties to use simple strategies to develop their child's language skills.

The strategies were used while reading books and during everyday conversations and included: pausing to allow the child an opportunity to talk about a topic of interest to them; asking open-ended questions; and encouraging the child to talk more on their chosen topics.

"When adults were taught to speak less, children were able to speak more," said Dr Susan Colmar, a lecturer in the Faculty of Education and Social Work who led the research with Louise Davey, a student research associate from the University of Bath. Dr Colmar said these findings confirm earlier studies she has conducted.

Read more at http://www.usyd.edu.au/news/84.html?newsstoryid=4447

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TOWARDS A NATIONAL CURRICULUM

Public Consultation on English, Mathematics, Science & History K-10 drafts

ACARA update, 12 February 2010

The draft K-10 Australian Curriculum in English, mathematics, science and history is now being finalised for uploading to the Australian Curriculum Consultation Portal.

In the week of 22 February 2010 this consultation website will be available for everyone to read, review, download or print the draft K-10 curriculum. It will also be the place where members of the education community can provide feedback and where the on-line feedback survey can be completed.

The K-10 consultation process and the K-10 part of the website will be open until 23 May 2010.

Work on the senior secondary years' curriculum for English, mathematics, science and history is proceeding according to the agreed timeframe.

From April 2010 to June 2010, the senior secondary curriculum will be available for consultation on the Australian Curriculum Consultation Portal.

Read more at http://www.acara.edu.au/consultation.html

COMPARING SCHOOL PERFORMANCE

How to get the best out of the My School Website

Ian Dalton, Executive Director, Australian Parents Council, 11 February 2010

The Australian Parents Council (APC) has today released an important on-line resource for parents: How to get the best out of the My School website.

APC executive director, Ian Dalton, said that with the array of “experts? promulgating conflicting opinions about My School, APC felt it was important that a readily accessible resource be made available to parents that provided simple, unbiased but accurate information about My School so that parents can use the website effectively - but with a sense of proportion.

“APC research across a number of years has clearly shown that parents want good information about schools,” Mr Dalton said. “My School provides good information, but it has limitations, is open to misinterpretation if not considered in context and might be relied upon too heavily by parents in making judgements about the performance of schools.

“It is therefore important that parents are helped to understand and interpret My School information, so that they can use it to its best effect.”

Mr Dalton added that there are a number of fact sheets on the My School website, but many parents are time poor, so APC's intention in producing How to get the best out of the My School website was to distil the information for parents and provide context using APC's research findings.

Read more at http://www.austparents.edu.au/how-to-get-the-best-out-of-the-my-school-website

Call for inquiry into bias against public schools on My School

Save our Schools, Media Release, 10 February 2010

A study published today by Save Our Schools, a public education advocacy group, calls for a full independent public inquiry into ‘like school’ comparisons on the My School website.

SOS spokesman, Trevor Cobbold, said that the comparisons are biased against government schools and littered with flaws and omissions.

“The so-called ‘like school’ comparisons are systematically biased in favour of private schools and against government schools. They are constructed in a way that makes private school results look better than government school results.

“The Index of Community Socio-Educational Advantage (ICSEA) used to classify schools with a similar socio-economic student profile is flawed. It attributes each student with the average socio-economic status (SES) of the area in which they live rather than the actual SES of their family. This leads to misclassifications of students because, as studies by the Australian Bureau of Statistics (ABS) show, high and low income families often live in the same areas.

“The much greater tendency of high income families to choose private schools means that the average SES of private schools is artificially lowered by ICSEA while the average SES of government schools is artificially inflated. This results in comparisons of unlike schools rather than like schools.

Read entire release: http://www.saveourschools.com.au/media-releases

My School numbers not what they seem

Justine Ferrari, the Australian, 11 February 2010 

TO look at the My School website, Swan Reach primary school, in Victoria's east Gippsland region, is one of those dark corners of the system that Education Minister Julia Gillard wants to shine a light on by publishing its test results for all to see.

Principal Andrew Kenyon believes the school received the full glare of the spotlight when it was named as one of the worst-performing primary schools in the state, and in the bottom five schools for its Year 5 numeracy results, in a newspaper's league table.

At first glance, the school does seem to be struggling. In the national literacy and numeracy tests, its Year 5 results last year were well below its average scores in 2008, dropping 84 points in grammar and punctuation, 61 points in numeracy and 52 points in reading.

But the story behind those numbers is more complicated. Swan Reach is a small rural school of about 70 students, and only had nine students in Year 5 last year and about 12 in Year 3. The average-sized primary school with 500 students has about two classes in each grade of 30 students in each.

In 2008, Swan Reach had one of its biggest classes, with 19 students in Year 5, double the number in last year's Year 5.  These numbers affect the average scores published on My School, and the relative ranking assigned to the schools.

Coupled with error margins in the national tests, ranging from 19 to 25 points for a class of nine students in Year 5, Mr Kenyon said the average scores used to compare schools quickly become unreliable.

"What it doesn't show you is how the children have improved, where they started and where they are now, and it doesn't show you they've developed in other areas."

Read entire article: http://www.theaustralian.com.au/news/nation/my-school-numbers-not-what-they-seem/story-e6frg6nf-1225828950984

My School website sparks student moves

Emma Shaw, Illawarra Mercury, 15 February 2010

Students in Illawarra schools are on the move following the release of information through the controversial My School website.

Some schools revealed as high performers in the NAPLAN tests say they are now experiencing a surge in interest following the satisfactory report.

Holy Spirit College principal Mark Baker said there had been an increase in applications for enrolment at the Bellambi school since the launch of the website last month.

"We've already had people banging on our door - but no-one leaving," Mr Baker said.

"We've had four (applications) so far - at the beginning of the year, which we wouldn't normally have got.

"I am a firm supporter of My School and I think parents have a right to this data. I think it's a good innovation and there is some interesting information ... My School data helps us ask the old question, 'where could we do better?"'

Read more at http://www.illawarramercury.com.au/news/local/news/general/my-school-website-sparks-student-moves/1750519.aspx

Damaging League Tables Must Be Stopped

Australian Education Union, 16 February 2010

The Australian Education Union today called for action from the Federal Government after revelations online profiteers were naming and shaming schools in league tables.

AEU federal president Angelo Gavrielatos said the unidentified operators were selling crude, inaccurate league tables for $97.

“Students in Australian schools are being named and shamed so somebody can make a profit,” Mr Gavrielatos said.“They have taken test scores from the My School website and reproduced them in crude
league tables showing the “top” and “bottom” schools.

“The question is when is the Federal Government going to act to protect school students?

Read more at http://www.aeufederal.org.au/Media/MediaReleases/2010/1602.pdf

School ranking report furore

Tanya Chilcott, Brisbane Courier Mail, 16 February 2010

AN explosive report ranking Australian schools based on national test results for $97 doesn't include any Queensland primary schools in its top 100 but names 25 in the bottom.

Education stakeholders have slammed the report as "a disgrace, dangerous" and "a sad day for education in Australia", arguing it places too much importance on the tests.

More than half of Queensland's secondary schools are not included in the top 100 data because they do not teach Year 7. Primary school top and bottom 100 rankings are based on Year 3 and 5 test data only.

Teachers' unions have threatened to boycott upcoming national tests if the Federal Government doesn't ban the publication of league tables using information from the controversial My School website.

A private company called the Australian School Ranking group became the first to release nationwide league tables yesterday – with "over 80 uniquely ranked areas" for the cost of $97, using the average school score and other data from national tests.

Read more at http://www.news.com.au/couriermail/story/0,,26728161-3102,00.html

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AWARDS & PRIZES

Green Teacher Award 2010

Nominations close 19 March 2010

Each year over 2300 schools take part in Schools Clean Up Day, but the contribution of teachers towards the environment does not end there. Many teachers have been working on environmental projects, inspiring the next generation to learn about environmental sustainability.

Sponsored by Sanyo Oceania, the Green Teacher Award is about rewarding those teachers who go the extra mile to inspire school students by initiating innovative environmental projects within their school communities.
 
Whether you are a teacher or student, Clean Up Australia would like you to help us find Australia's Greenest Teacher by submitting a nomination. Teachers may nominate themselves if they wish.
 
Lodge your nomination online http://competitions.cleanupaustraliaday.org.au/competitions?step=2&award=76

Find out more about School Clean Up Australia Day: http://www.cleanup.org.au/au/

2010 National Awards for Excellence in School Music Education

Nominations close 16 April 2010

Up to thirteen awards for excellence and leadership in school music education with a value of $5,000 will be awarded to teachers and school leaders. The awards will recognise the recipients' exceptional contribution to enhancing the status and quality of music education in their schools.

Up to eleven teachers will receive an Excellence by a Teacher award for their success as teachers in enabling the development of new musical understandings that build on and enrich students' knowledge and skill in music;

Up to two school leaders will receive an Excellence by a School Leader award for their catalytic and inspiring support for music education as an essential element in the life of their school and its community

Full details at: http://musicawards.asme.edu.au/scripts/index.php

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INDIGENOUS EDUCATION

Gap closing, but progress too slow: Rudd

Emma Rodgers, ABC News, 11 February 2010

Prime Minister Kevin Rudd says more Indigenous people are in work and completing high school, but progress to raise living standards is still too slow.  Delivering his second "Closing the Gap" statement to Parliament today, Mr Rudd defended his Government's record on reducing Indigenous disadvantage.

He released what he said was more reliable data showing that the life expectancy gap between Indigenous and non-Indigenous Australians is lower than first thought.  He said the life expectancy gap between Indigenous and non-Indigenous Australians is now believed to be 11.5 years for men and 9.7 for women, with men expected to live to 67 years and women 73 years.

"This is less than the 17-year gap that we thought existed a year ago," Mr Rudd told the House of Representatives.  This is good news but it is the result of having more reliable data, rather than the result of having any real improvement on the ground.

He said statistics showed some improvements across employment and education.

Read entire article: http://www.abc.net.au/news/stories/2010/02/11/2816691.htm

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SCHOOL LIFE: ROCK EISTEDDFOD

Australian Government maintains support for Rock Eisteddfod

Hon Julia Gillard MP, 10 February 2010

The Minister for Education, Julia Gillard, today confirmed the Australian Government will continue its support for the Rock Eisteddfod Challenge with a $700,000 commitment in 2010.

The Government has written to the organisers confirming its existing commitment this year and that it will extend funding beyond 2010.

The Rock Eisteddfod is an iconic event loved by students, parents and teachers around Australia and she hoped that corporate sponsors would find a way to continue their support.

The Government is proud to provide a substantial amount of funding to such a popular event which aims to focus on developing health, life skills and creative thinking in young people.

http://www.deewr.gov.au/Ministers/Gillard/Media/Releases/Pages/Article_100210_094814.aspx

Wollongong students campaign to fill Rock Eisteddfod funding gap

Matthew Jones, Illawarra Mercury, 11 February 2010

If students at a Wollongong school have anything to say about it, it isn't curtains just yet for the Rock Eisteddfod Challenge.

Organisers said a lack of funding was behind a shock announcement on Monday that the show would not go on in 2010.   But just days later, a group of around 40 students at Smith's Hill High School has hit the ground running, starting a grassroots campaign to fill the funding gap and bring the lights back up on a show which involved almost 3000 students last year.

The group has so far established links with other schools around the state and sent letters to MPs. They also plan to establish a website and identify possible corporate sponsors.

Year 12 student Nick Butler said the campaign was about "looking at the bigger picture", while 17-year-old and fellow Year 12 student Belinda Mohamad said she hoped to spur other schools into action.

"Some people need that first step. Maybe we'll start a domino effect," she said.

Read entire article: http://www.illawarramercury.com.au/news/local/news/general/students-campaign-to-fill-rock-eisteddfod-funding-gap/1747892.aspx

Rock Eisteddfod cancelled: Woolgoolga High School refuses to give up

Kue Davis, Coffs Coast Advocate, 15th February 2010

THE dreams of dozens of Woolgoolga High School students were crushed when they were told the highly popular Rock Eisteddfod Challenge had been axed due to lack of support and funding.  Competing for the second year after a long hiatus, the school was preparing for this year’s competition and couldn’t believe it when the announcement came through early this week.

“It had some of the kids in tears,” co-ordinating teacher Claire Porter said.  “We’d started choreography, everyone was involved in fundraising and organising, the dates were in place, the soundtrack was picked, sets and costumes were designed.

“Last year was our first year performing again and we had a huge increase in participation this year. We only had 45 last year and this year we had close to 70, everyone was so keen this news was just devastating.”

Rock Eisteddfod executive producer Peter Sjoquist said organisers are terribly upset and disappointed but feel, for the first time in 30 years, they do not have enough funding to put on a professional show.

Read entire article: http://www.coffscoastadvocate.com.au/story/2010/02/15/students-rocked-by-cancellation/

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CYBER-SAFETY

National pilot to increase cyber-safety in schools

Hon Julia Gillard MP, Minister for Education, 10 February 2010

The Minister for Education, Julia Gillard, today announced the 164 schools selected to take part in a national pilot project to address cyber-safety.  The Australian Government is providing $3 million for the world-first cyber safety initiative developed and conducted by child safety charity, the Alannah and Madeline Foundation.

Government and non-government primary and secondary schools in urban, rural and remote Australia will participate in the cyber-safety pilot which will run until 30 April 2010.

The project will help clarify the role that schools play in ensuring responsible and safe use of technology.

The pilot’s outcomes will be independently evaluated and used to inform the Government’s review of the National Safe Schools Framework (NSSF), due to finish in June 2010.

This coincides with the announcement that in the next sitting week, the Rudd Government will seek to establish its Joint Parliamentary Standing Committee on Cyber Safety.

Read entire release: http://www.deewr.gov.au/Ministers/Gillard/Media/Releases/Pages/Article_100210_131616.aspx

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VOCATIONAL EDUCATION

Trade school program 'behind schedule'

Sydney Morning Herald, February 11, 2010 (AAP)

Only one of the federal government's trade training centres is actually delivering qualifications to students, a Senate hearing has been told.

Department of Education, Employment and Workplace Relations spokesman David Da Silva said Labor's $2.5 billion Trade Training Centres in Schools program had received a total of 364 applications, of which 230 had been approved.

However, Brisbane's Aviation High School is the scheme's only fully-functioning institution to date.

Mr. Da Silva said that while 15 trade centres were meant to be completed last January, just four actually had been.

Read entire article: http://news.smh.com.au/breaking-news-national/trade-school-program-behind-schedule-20100211-ntnd.html

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AROUND THE STATES & TERRITORIES

ACT: Minister Barr tables alternate suspension bill

ABC News, 11 February 2010

ACT Education Minister Andrew Barr has tabled the Government's version of proposed new laws to give principals more power to suspend students.

The Government wants principals to be able to suspend students for up to 10 days without referring to the Education Department or Catholic Education Office.

Yesterday the Opposition tabled a similar bill that would give principals the authority to suspend students for up to 20 days instead.

Mr Barr told the Legislative Assembly, the Government's proposal strikes the right balance.

"An ability to suspend for up to 10 days will not only cut red tape and allow principals to focus on their schools it will also give principals the time to plan the suspended students’ re-entry into school," he said.  "It communicates to students the seriousness of their actions, it will overall make our schools safer."

http://www.abc.net.au/news/stories/2010/02/11/2816654.htm

ACT: $17 million for Smarter Schools

Hon Julia Gillard MP & Andrew Barr MLA, Media Release, 12 February 2010

The Minister for Education, Julia Gillard, and the ACT Minister for Education and Training, Andrew Barr, today announced that 29 ACT schools will benefit from up to $17 million in Smarter Schools funding.

In addition to these partnerships, another school in the ACT (Lake Tuggeranong College) will receive funding to lift literacy and numeracy standards. 

More information, including a full list of schools receiving funding, is available at: www.deewr.gov.au/Schooling/Programs/SmarterSchools.

Read entire release: http://www.deewr.gov.au/Ministers/Gillard/Media/Releases/Pages/Article_100211_131712.aspx

NSW: Keneally Breaks Promise on Dalwood

Adrian Piccoli, Shadow NSW Minister for Education, 5 February 2010

Shadow Minister for Education Adrian Piccoli today said Kristina Keneally’s failure to honour her promise to save Dalwood and Palm Avenue Assessment Centre showed she was more concerned with photo opportunities than helping out the State’s children.

In one of her first acts as Premier, Kristina Keneally promised to delay the closure of Dalwood and Palm Avenue Assessment Centre, a school for children from rural and remote areas with severe learning disabilities.

However, as reported in The Sydney Morning Herald today, the boarding school and residential facilities have been shut, several staff have been made redundant and parents have been left confused over the future of the school.

Mr Piccoli said the Premier’s failure to honour her promise would leave dozens of children and their families in the lurch.

Read more at http://www.adrianpiccoli.com/media/media-releases/keneally-breaks-promise-on-dalwood.aspx

NSW: Up to $871.4 million for Smarter Schools

Hon Julia Gillard MP & Hon Verity Firth MP, Media Release, 12 February 2010

The Minister for Education, Julia Gillard, and the New South Wales Minister for Education and Training, Verity Firth, today announced that 738 schools in New South Wales will benefit from up to $871.4 million in Smarter Schools funding.

In addition to these partnerships, a further 23 schools in New South Wales will share in $2.3 million to lift literacy and numeracy standards. 

More information, including a full list of schools receiving funding, is available at: www.deewr.gov.au/Schooling/Programs/SmarterSchools.

Read entire release: http://www.deewr.gov.au/Ministers/Gillard/Media/Releases/Pages/Article_100211_142340.aspx

NSW: No money for maths teachers

AAP, February 15, 2010

NEW South Wales schools are doing all they can to attract maths teachers but are competing with higher-paying employers for a small pool of talent, a senior education official says.

The comments come after revelations that HSC students at Davidson High School in Sydney's north were being forced to teach themselves maths online because of a teacher shortage. The students have been without a qualified 2-unit maths teacher for the first month of year 12, following the retirement of a teacher last year.

NSW Department of Education and Training director-general Michael Coutts-Trotter says Davidson High School is searching for a permanent teacher and an interim teacher will be sent to the school tomorrow.

Read more at http://www.news.com.au/breaking-news/no-money-for-maths-teachers-says-michael-coutts-trotter/story-e6frfku0-1225830368499?from=public_rss

NT: Up to $134.7 million for Smarter Schools

Hon Julia Gillard MP & Chris Burns MLA, Media Release, 12 February 2010

The Minister for Education, Julia Gillard, and the Northern Territory Minister for Education and Training, Chris Burns, today announced that 130 Territory schools will benefit from up to $134.7 million in Smarter Schools funding.

In addition to these partnerships, another school in the NT (Humpty Doo Primary School) will receive funding to lift literacy and numeracy standards. 

The Northern Territory is also receiving $44 million under a special Closing the Gap - Enhancing Education National Partnership from 2009-12.

This funding will target 76 schools and will strengthen and maintain measures introduced under the Northern Territory Emergency Response. A strong focus on improving literacy and numeracy is part of this funding.

More information, including a full list of schools receiving funding, is available at: www.deewr.gov.au/Schooling/Programs/SmarterSchools.

Read entire release: http://www.deewr.gov.au/Ministers/Gillard/Media/Releases/Pages/Article_100211_133532.aspx

QLD: More child care places for Gladstone and Townsville

Hon Kate Ellis MP & Hon Geoff Wilson, Media Release, 12 February 2010

The Minister for Early Childhood Education and Child Care Kate Ellis and the Queensland Minister for Education Geoff Wilson today announced the providers of two new Early Learning and Care Centres for Queensland.

The Crèche and Kindergarten Association of Queensland will operate the Gladstone centre and the Catholic Diocese of Townsville will run the Townsville centre.

The Gladstone centre will deliver 66 long day care places, while 75 more places will be available at Townsville.

The Rudd Government is investing $1.8 million in each centre. The Catholic Diocese of Townsville will also make a substantial contribution towards the centre it will run.

Queenslanders can share their ideas on what will make a difference to their child’s future by commenting on the discussion paper A Flying Start for Queensland Children.

Further information on Early Learning and Care Centres is available at: http://www.mychild.gov.au

Read entire release: http://www.deewr.gov.au/Ministers/Ellis/Media/Releases/Pages/Article_100211_102231.aspx

QLD: Extra support for literacy & numeracy in 40 schools

Hon Julia Gillard MP & Hon Geoff Wilson, media release 12 February 2010

The Minister for Education, Julia Gillard, and the Queensland Minister for Education and Training, Geoff Wilson, today announced an additional $4 million will flow to 40 schools in Queensland that have been identified as in need of extra supports to lift literacy and numeracy standards.

The partnerships will deliver practical help including literacy and numeracy specialist teachers in the classroom, literacy and numeracy coaches helping to help teachers to improve their teaching skills and additional teacher’s aides to provide support for teachers.

More information is available at www.deewr.gov.au/Schooling/Programs/SmarterSchools

Read entire release: http://www.deewr.gov.au/Ministers/Gillard/Media/Releases/Pages/Article_100211_122051.aspx

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SA: Teachers win 12% pay rise

ABC News, 10 February 2010

Public school teachers in South Australia have been awarded a pay rise of 12 per cent over three years after a two-year fight with the State Government.  The increase is on top of an interim rise of 3.75 per cent they were awarded last year.

The Government had wanted a rise of 14 per cent in total and teachers had been seeking 21 per cent.  The teachers took industrial action a number of times during the 2008 school year to back their claim.  Awarding the rise, the Industrial Relations Commission said the extended dispute had not been conducive to morale.

The Australian Education Union (AEU) says the rise could have happened much sooner had staff not insisted on a range of improvements to classroom conditions.

AEU vice-president Anne Crawford says teachers are relieved the dispute is finally over.  "We're delighted and we feel very vindicated.”

Read entire article: http://www.abc.net.au/news/stories/2010/02/10/2815827.htm?section=justin

SA: More families to get more preschool time

Hon Kate Ellis MP & Hon Jay Weatherill MP, Media Release, 10 February 2010

More South Australian children will get extra time at kindergarten and some will go to kindy for the first time, thanks to another round of universal access to preschool in SA.

Federal Minister for Early Childhood Education Kate Ellis and South Australian Minister for Early Childhood Development Jay Weatherill today announced the next 38 South Australian preschools to be funded under the program.   In SA, the program means children will be able to access 15 hours of preschool a week – up from the current 11 hours.

Mr. Weatherill said the 38 preschools to benefit in round two include Modbury Child Parent Centre, Morphett Vale East Kindergarten, Port Augusta West Childhood Services Centre, Point Pearce Child Parent Centre, Whyalla Stuart Early Childhood Centre and Loxton North Kindergarten. The extra hours will become available from term three.

The first round of 98 preschools was announced in October last year and extra hours at those locations will be rolled out this term.

Further information is available at www.mychild.gov.au

Read entire release: http://www.deewr.gov.au/Ministers/Ellis/Media/Releases/Pages/Article_100210_130019.aspx

SA: Up to $232.5 million for Smarter Schools

Hon Julia Gillard MP & Hon Jane Lomax-Smith, media release, 12 February 2010

The Minister for Education, Julia Gillard, and the South Australian Minister for Education and Training, Dr Jane Lomax-Smith, today announced that 295 South Australian schools will benefit from up to $232.5 million in Smarter Schools funding.

In addition to these partnerships, a further six schools in South Australia will share in $600,000 to lift literacy and numeracy standards: Balaklava High School, Balaklava Primary School, Gawler High School, Georgetown Primary School, Sandy Creek Primary School and Woomera Area School.

More information, including a full list of schools receiving funding, is available at: www.deewr.gov.au/Schooling/Programs/SmarterSchools.

Read entire release: http://www.deewr.gov.au/Ministers/Gillard/Media/Releases/Pages/Article_100211_142739.aspx 

TAS: Parties urged to focus on improved school retention rates

ABC News, 10 February 2010

The Tasmanian Council of Social Service (TASCOSS) has asked the state's political parties to be up-front about their intentions for the public education system.

TASCOSS spokesman Tom Muller says focus needs to move to the whole system and not just on secondary grades and the Tasmania Tomorrow changes.

Mr Muller says poor retention rates and results begin earlier than Year 10.

"From our perspective we just need to have a debate that starts looking at the education system from kindergarten onwards," he said.

"We have got to have a look at what's happening in our primary schools and we've got to have all the political parties talking about not just what's happening in years 11 and 12 but start telling Tasmanian parents and students what they're going to do to ensure that school is a place where kids want to be."

http://www.abc.net.au/news/stories/2010/02/10/2815463.htm

TAS: Extra support for Tasmanian schools

Hon Julia Gillard MP & Hon David Bartlett MP, Media Release, 12 February 2010

The Minister for Education, Julia Gillard, and the Tasmanian Premier and Minister for Education, David Bartlett, announced that up to an additional $200,000 will flow to two Tasmanian schools that have been identified as in need of extra supports to lift literacy and numeracy standards.

These schools (Collinsvale Primary School and Exeter High School) will benefit from the Smarter School National Partnership on Literacy and Numeracy between the Bartlett and Rudd Governments announced last month.

More information is available at www.deewr.gov.au/Schooling/Programs/SmarterSchools.

Read entire release: http://www.deewr.gov.au/Ministers/Gillard/Media/Releases/Pages/Article_100211_132411.aspx

VIC: Up to $477 million for Smarter Schools

Hon Julia Gillard MP & Hon Bronwyn Pike, media release, 12 February 2010

The Minister for Education, Julia Gillard, and the Victorian Minister for Education, Skills and Workforce Participation, Bronwyn Pike, today announced that 489 schools in Victoria will benefit from up to $477.5 million in Smarter Schools funding.

In addition to these partnerships, a further 18 schools in Victoria will share in $1.8 million to lift literacy and numeracy standards. 

More information, including a full list of schools receiving funding, is available at: www.deewr.gov.au/Schooling/Programs/SmarterSchools.

Read entire release: http://www.deewr.gov.au/Ministers/Gillard/Media/Releases/Pages/Article_100211_143742.aspx

WA: School bus fleet safety upgrade completed five years ahead of schedule

Hon Dr Elizabeth Constable, WA Education Minister, 11 February 2010

Early completion of a $22million drive to replace the fleet of public school-owned buses without seatbelts has improved the safety of students.
 
More than 150 school buses owned by the Department of Education have been replaced over the last few years with new buses fitted with seatbelts in time for the start of the school year.
 
A commitment had been made in 2005 to fit all buses used to transport public school students with seatbelts by 2015. The Minister said today that the entire fleet of public school-owned buses was now compliant with the legislation, five years ahead of schedule.
 
“Western Australia is the first State in the nation to make seatbelts mandatory for buses used to transport public school students."
 
Read entire release: http://www.mediastatements.wa.gov.au/Pages/default.aspx?ItemId=133113&

WA: Up to $203.4 million for Smarter Schools

Hon Julia Gillard MP, Media Release, 12 February 2010

The Minister for Education, Julia Gillard today announced that 286 schools in Western Australia will benefit from up to $203.4 million in Smarter Schools funding.

In addition to these partnerships, a further 19 schools in Western Australia will share in up to $1.9 million to lift literacy and numeracy standards. 

More information, including a full list of schools receiving funding, is available at: www.deewr.gov.au/Schooling/Programs/SmarterSchool.

Read entire release: http://www.deewr.gov.au/Ministers/Gillard/Media/Releases/Pages/Article_100211_125620.aspx

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CONFERENCES

Lead:  Make a Difference

Professional Development Network 14th Annual School Leaders' Conference

26-27 August 2010, Conrad Jupiters, Gold Coast

The PDN School Leaders’ Conference is known for promoting a culture of influence.  It is more than a one-time motivator event. The PDN Conference is a catalyst for change and this year we invite you to Lead and Make a Difference!

Leadership is a significant issue for all groups.  Strong, collective educational leadership helps develop school innovation and successful outcomes for students.

Lead:  Make a Difference delegates will spend 2 days with leadership experts discussing how shared leadership, transparency and accountability can improve the lives of children through learning.

The Conference presenters will provide you with tools and strategies to effect lasting change, make explicit connections between leadership and research-based practices known to offer the most effective strategies to influence student achievement.

Read more at http://www.griffith.edu.au/pdn-leadership-conference-2010

London International Conference on Education (LICE 2010)

6-8 September 2010, London, UK

The London International Conference on Education (LICE) will be held from 6-8 of September, 2010 in London. The LICE is an international refereed conference dedicated to the advancement of the theory and practices in education. The LICE promotes collaborative excellence between academicians and professionals from Education.

The aim of LICE is to provide an opportunity for academicians and professionals from various educational fields with cross-disciplinary interests to bridge the knowledge gap, promote research esteem and the evolution of pedagogy.

The LICE-2010 invites research papers that encompass conceptual analysis, design implementation and performance evaluation.  

Read more at http://www.liceducation.org/

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REMINDERS

19-21 February - SEAA / SASOSE Conference - Hindmarsh, SA - http://www.seaa.org.au/2010conference/

21 February - International Mother Language Day - http://portal.unesco.org/culture/en/ev.php-URL_ID=38724&URL_DO=DO_TOPIC&URL_SECTION=201.html

22-23 February - Green Universities - Melbourne, VIC - http://www.informa.com.au/conferences/education/green-universities

4-6 March - Reggio Children, Eton House - Singapore - http://childcarewa.com/files/admin-images/Reggio_Conference_Date_Claimer.pdf  

5 March - Schools Clean Up Day - http://www.cleanup.org.au/au/

7 March - Clean Up Australia Day - http://www.cleanup.org.au/au/

8-15 March - Students as agents of change online conference - http://www.cybertext.net.au/inet2009_student.php

21 March - Harmony Day - http://www.harmony.gov.au/harmony-day/

24-26 March - Going Global 4 - London, UK - http://www.britishcouncil.org/goingglobal.htm

6-9 April - Digital Diversity Conference - Melbourne, VIC - http://acec2010.info/

7-9 April - Career Development Association of Australia Annual Conference - Adelaide, SA - http://www.onqconferences.com.au/pages/CDAA2010.php

8-11 April - Global Language Convention - Melbourne, VIC - http://www.wesleycollege.net/convention.cfm

9-10 April - National Coalition against Bullying Conference - Melbourne, VIC - http://www.amf.org.au/NCABConference/

19-20 April - Kidsafe Playground Conference - Perth, WA - http://www.kidsafewa.com.au/

19-21 April - Language Education: An Essential for a Global Economy - Singapore - http://www.relc.org.sg/seminar.html

29-30 April - 8th Annual Higher Education Summit - Adelaide, SA - http://www.highereducationsummit.com.au/

25-28 May - Inclusive Learning Technologies Conference 2010 - Gold Coast, QLD - http://www.spectronicsinoz.com/conference/

4-5 June - Early childhood education conference 2010 Melbourne, VIC - http://www.togetherwegrow.com.au/2010registration.html

4-7 July - National Conference for Teachers of English & Literacy - Perth, WA - http://www.englishliteracyconference.com.au/index.php?id=46&year=10

6-9 July - 17th International Conference on Learning - Hong Kong - http://thelearner.com/Conference-2010/

7-9 July - Australian Institute of Family Studies Conference - Melbourne, VIC - http://www.aifs.gov.au/conference

21-24 July - Second Paris International Conference on Education, Economy & Society - Paris, France - http://education-conferences.org/default.aspx

27-30 September - National Australian Association for Environmental Education Conference - Canberra, ACT - https://www.conferenceco.com.au/aaee

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• Languages Education : http://www.languageseducation.com/news.htm (monthly) 
• Ensemble - Music Education : http://www.ensemble.org.au/news.htm (monthly) 
• Family School Partners : http://www.familyschool.org.au/news/ (monthly) 
• Public Education Voice : http://www.acsso.org.au/public-education-voice (quarterly) 

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