In this issue:

• Australian students perform well in mathematical literacy
• Australia overtaken in Year 4 and 8 mathematics and science achievement
• ACER UPDATE

The findings from the latest OECD Programme for International Student Assessment (PISA) cycle of testing were released on 7 December. ACER led the consortium that conducted PISA internationally and also implemented the assessment within Australia. ACER released a report detailing Australia's results in PISA 2003.

The study found that Australia's results were above the OECD average in each of mathematical, scientific and reading literacy as well as in problem solving and in each of four mathematical literacy subscales: quantity, space and shape, change and relationships and uncertainty.

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Australian Year 4 and Year 8 students' achievements in mathematics and science have remained much the same over the past eight years while a number of other countries have made substantial improvements over the same time, raising their position relative to that of Australia, according to the latest findings from the Trends in International Mathematics and Science Study (TIMSS 2002/03).

The study found that Australian students performed moderately well in mathematics with the average scores achieved by Australian students about the same as the international average for Year 4 and significantly higher than the international average for Year 8.   In science, Australian students achieved above the international average in both year levels.

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Australian Principals Centre to join ACER

ACER is pleased to announce that the Australian Principals Centre (APC) will be joining ACER from early 2005.  The incorporation of the Australian Principals Centre will broaden ACER's activities to support the professional learning and work of school principals, strengthen our connections with individual schools and principals' associations and enhance ACER's impact on educational outcomes in schools.

 

Verification and process development for performance and development accreditation of schools

ACER's Teaching and Leadership research program has been contracted by the Victorian Department of Education and Training to conduct the 'Verification and Process Development for Performance and Development Accreditation of Schools' project.

This project, to be undertaken in collaboration with the Australian Principals' Centre, will develop and trial specifications for the external verification process for the school performance and development accreditation scheme. In providing an accreditation system for schools that attain a performance and development culture DE&T is providing principals and teachers with both direction and recognition for evidence of improved school functioning.  The project is likely to run until May 2005.

 

Research Developments Issue 12 now available

The latest edition of ACER's newsletter Research Developments is now available in print form and online. Articles in this edition look at issues in early childhood education and care; research into why parents choose a public or private school; an evaluation of school-based arts programs; and what research tells us about the importance of reading for enjoyment. View Research Developments Issue 12. To join the mailing list to receive print copies of Research Developments send an email to .(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address) with your name and postal address. Please clearly state that you would like to join the Research Developments mailing as ACER has many publications and several different mailing lists. The next edition of Research Developments is due in late March/early April of 2005.