In this issue:

• Time for a nationally-coordinated approach to teacher quality
• Australian academics satisfied with jobs
• ACER UPDATE

Earlier this year, the Business Council of Australia commissioned staff at the Australian Council for Educational Research to write a position paper for the BCA on quality teaching. This paper, ‘Investing in Teacher Quality: Doing What Matters Most’, written by Stephen Dinham, Lawrence Ingvarson and Elizabeth Kleinhenz , was released on May 26 as part of a BCA publication Teaching Talent The Best Teachers for Australia’s Schools.

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The first results from a major international survey of the state of the academic profession shows that the majority of Australian academics remain satisfied with their jobs despite reporting a decline in working conditions since the start of their careers.

Conducted by the University of New England’s Centre for Higher Education Management and Policy (CHEMP) and the Australian Council for Educational Research (ACER) the Changing Nature of the Academic Profession (CAP) project is the largest of its kind in the world. The international comparative study is running across 20 countries including Australia.

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HPAT - Ireland

ACER has been awarded the contract to develop and manage the administration of a new undergraduate medical admissions test for University College Cork, University College Dublin, National University of Ireland Galway, The Royal College of Surgeons in Ireland and Trinity College Dublin. The test will be known as HPAT-Ireland.

The first sitting of the test will be on 14 February 2009. The results of HPAT-Ireland will be combined with the Leaving Certificate Examination results to select students for admission to medicine at each of the five Irish universities.

ACER is now responsible for all the undergraduate and graduate medical admissions testing in Ireland.

Employment of postgraduates with science and mathematics research skills

ACER has been contracted by the Australian Government Department of Education, Employment and Workplace Relations to conduct a research project on the employment of postgraduates with science and mathematics research skills. The study is intended to analyse trends in the supply of, and demand for, graduates with higher degree research skills in mathematics and science, and identify good practice among employers in attracting and retaining such graduates. The project will run from May to December 2008.

Gambling and Young People

Gambling Research Australia has contracted ACER to conduct a two-year national study focusing on young people and their gambling within an Australian context. The project will research the extent and the patterns of gambling in young people, the context, nature and practices of where and why young people gamble; and the risk enhancers and risk inhibitors relevant to gambling for young people. The results of the project are intended to inform policy and practice related to effective harm reduction measures for young people. The project will commence in June.