News bulletins from the Australian Council for Educational Research published
November 2007
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Literacy research must look to the past
An overly negative view of literacy and reluctance to take account of history has limited research and led indirectly to the advancement of some unproductive ideas about literacy, according to a new review of research on literacy education released by ACER on 21 November.
The lesson of Jonah
In this opinion article, originally published in Education Review, Professor Stephen Dinham, looks at the lessons that can be learned from the character of Johah in the recent hit television series Summer Heights High.
Identifying dangers in the world of ‘cyberia’
The greatest danger to children and teens online comes from their own peers according to leading adolescent psychologist Dr Michael Carr-Gregg. Dr Carr-Gregg, in conjunction with ACER’s Leadership Centre, is conducting a national seminar series that will explore the world of ‘Cyberia’ and how today’s youth lives there.
ACER UPDATE
Student Aptitude Test for Tertiary Admission
ACER has been contracted to conduct stage one of the Federal Government’s pilot Student Aptitude Test for Tertiary Admission (SATTA). ACER will use uniTEST, which was developed in conjunction with Cambridge Assessment, during the trial. The Department of Education, Science and Training (DEST) will subsidise universities’ participation in the trial by providing funding for universities to test up to 20 000 students, as well as providing up to $10 000 to each university to promote the scheme. The pilot of uniTEST will provide universities with additional information on prospective students and provide alternative pathways to university for some students who may otherwise have not gained a university place.
Further information is available on the uniTEST website. For information about participating in a pilot program or attending uniTEST information sessions please contact Ms Tanya Williams, Project Director, ACER on (03) 9277 5736 or .(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address)
AJE special leadership edition
School leaders need to recognise emotional resistance and the importance of forming effective relationships when implementing change, as revealed in the latest issue of Australian Journal of Education. The special issue, published by ACER in November, is dedicated to providing an insight into the complex issue of effective leadership and ways in which school leaders can successful implement renewal and change. Featured authors are some of the world's leading authorities on educational leadership. For more information or to purchase a copy of the Australian Journal of Education, please visit the AJE website.
Primary schools 'in the balance' report
ACER Deputy CEO (Research) Dr John Ainley was part of the research team led by Max Angus and Harriet Olney of Edith Cowan University to work on the Australian Primary Principals Association (APPA) ‘In the Balance’ report, released in October. The report, initiated by APPA and funded by the Federal Government, found that large numbers of Australian government, independent and Catholic primary schools do not have the capacity to fully achieve the goals set for them by governments, and points to the fact that many of the schools serving low socio-economic communities are acutely under-resourced. The report is available from the APPA website at www.appa.asn.au/
Student social and emotional health examined
ACER researchers recently worked in conjunction with Professor Michael Bernard of the University of Melbourne to produce the Australian Scholarship Group (ASG) commissioned Student Social and Emotional Health Report. The report, released in October, shows that large percentages of students experience social and emotional difficulties. It outlines the methodology, key findings, recommendations and actions that parents and educators can undertake to help improve student social and emotional well-being. The ASG Student Social and Emotional Health Report is available from the Australian Scholarships Group website at www.asg.com.au
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