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News bulletins from the Australian Council for Educational Research published March 2006 3134 subscribers Subscribe Now In this issue: Preschool hope and reality Australian research resources available from EdNA Online ACER UPDATE Preschool hope and reality Education Minister Julie Bishop is spot on with her call for universal pre-school for four-year-olds writes ACER's Research Director, Early Childhood Education, Dr Alison Elliott in this opinion article. Dr Elliott argues that the early years of development are critical to brain development and there is overwhelming agreement that the early years shape later social and academic outcomes. Few early childhood experts would disagree with the idea that young children require rich, nurturing learning opportunities to optimise social and intellectual development. Continue reading » Australian research resources available from EdNA Online Educators, researchers and students now have increased access to a wide range of educational and research resources from following the signing of a memorandum of understanding between EdNA Online and ACER in March to link their databases. The two organisations will collaborate on the delivery of information services, which will enable the sharing of knowledge, research and learning content. Continue reading » ACER UPDATE ACER Brisbane office now open ACER's Brisbane office was officially opened on 23 March by chief executive Professor Geoff Masters. The is headed by Professor Gabrielle Matters, who joined ACER in October 2005 as a Principal Research Fellow. Ms Karen Elvish joins Professor Matters in the Brisbane office as Education Sales Consultant for ACER's Professional Resources Division including Assessment Services programs and ACER Press. Gabrielle and Karen will work to establish a greater presence for ACER in Queensland. The office is located at unit 9, 541 Boundary Road, Spring Hill. Phone (07) 3831 2769 Fax (07) 3831 9900. ACER Board member awarded Australian College of Educators medal Member of ACER's board of directors, Mr Tony Mackay, was recently named 2006 College Medallist by the Australian College of Educators (ACE) for his outstanding contribution to education in Australia. The ACE citation recognised Mr Mackay "for his remarkable impact on educators in Australia, the UK, and internationally, through his work in professional development, strategic thinking and facilitation for government bodies, education agencies, think tanks, school boards, leadership teams and the profession." ACER congratulates Mr Mackay on this achievement. Professional Evaluation and Reflection on Learning (PEARL) ACER will design and deliver the Professional Evaluation and Reflection on Learning (PEARL) program for the Association of Independent Schools of Victoria. The key focus of PEARL is to answer the question: How do you know if the school-designed AGQTP is making a difference? The program will comprise a series of workshop meetings delivered by ACER staff from the Assessment and Reporting research program, and offer some possible ongoing consultation. The meetings will be delivered to learning teams from AISV schools receiving funding for the 2006–9 round of the Australian Government Quality Teacher Program. Participating schools will be assisted in developing ways to evaluate their AGQTP-funded programs. On-going consultation will be offered in response to specific requests from participating schools or clusters.
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News bulletins from the Australian Council for Educational Research published March 2006
3134 subscribers
Subscribe Now

Preschool hope and reality

Education Minister Julie Bishop is spot on with her call for universal pre-school for four-year-olds writes ACER's Research Director, Early Childhood Education, Dr Alison Elliott in this opinion article. Dr Elliott argues that the early years of development are critical to brain development and there is overwhelming agreement that the early years shape later social and academic outcomes. Few early childhood experts would disagree with the idea that young children require rich, nurturing learning opportunities to optimise social and intellectual development.

Australian research resources available from EdNA Online

ACER UPDATE

ACER Brisbane office now open

ACER's Brisbane office was officially opened on 23 March by chief executive Professor Geoff Masters. The is headed by Professor Gabrielle Matters, who joined ACER in October 2005 as a Principal Research Fellow. Ms Karen Elvish joins Professor Matters in the Brisbane office as Education Sales Consultant for ACER's Professional Resources Division including Assessment Services programs and ACER Press. Gabrielle and Karen will work to establish a greater presence for ACER in Queensland. The office is located at unit 9, 541 Boundary Road, Spring Hill. Phone (07) 3831 2769 Fax (07) 3831 9900.

ACER Board member awarded Australian College of Educators medal

Member of ACER's board of directors, Mr Tony Mackay, was recently named 2006 College Medallist by the Australian College of Educators (ACE) for his outstanding contribution to education in Australia. The ACE citation recognised Mr Mackay "for his remarkable impact on educators in Australia, the UK, and internationally, through his work in professional development, strategic thinking and facilitation for government bodies, education agencies, think tanks, school boards, leadership teams and the profession." ACER congratulates Mr Mackay on this achievement.

Professional Evaluation and Reflection on Learning (PEARL)

ACER will design and deliver the Professional Evaluation and Reflection on Learning (PEARL) program for the Association of Independent Schools of Victoria. The key focus of PEARL is to answer the question: How do you know if the school-designed AGQTP is making a difference?

The program will comprise a series of workshop meetings delivered by ACER staff from the Assessment and Reporting research program, and offer some possible ongoing consultation. The meetings will be delivered to learning teams from AISV schools receiving funding for the 2006–9 round of the Australian Government Quality Teacher Program. Participating schools will be assisted in developing ways to evaluate their AGQTP-funded programs. On-going consultation will be offered in response to specific requests from participating schools or clusters.