In this issue:

• Practise what we preach, says leadership study
• English language skills assessment
• ACER UPDATE

Leaders are learning like students, according to a recent study of higher education leaders from around the country. The Learning Leaders in Times of Change survey, funded by the Australian Learning and Teaching Council, is a joint project of the University of Western Sydney and the Australian Council for Educational Research (ACER).

The project surveyed more than 500 Australian higher education leaders from 20 institutions about the contexts and challenges they face and the key capabilities that underpin their work. Results of the survey were released on 30 June.

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ACER has developed a new test of English language skills designed to help Australian universities and TAFEs identify international students who may need support to develop their English-language skills to a sufficient level to cope with the demands of tertiary study.

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Research Conference 2008

The Hon Julia Gillard MP, Deputy Prime Minister, Minister for Employment and Workplace Relations, Minister for Education, Minister for Social Inclusion will deliver a special address at ACER’s Research Conference 2008 "Touching the Future: Building skills for life and work" on Monday 11th August in Brisbane. Her address will focus on the connection between education, employment and social inclusion.

Research Conference 2008 takes place at the Brisbane Convention and Exhibition Centre, from 10-12 August. Further information on the conference program and registration is available from the conference website. Enquiries may also be directed to Margaret Taylor at ACER’s Centre for Professional Learning by phone on 03 9277 5403 or by email to .(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address)

New location for ACER Brisbane office

ACER’s Brisbane office has relocated to Kelvin Grove from Spring Hill. The new premises include a shop where books and other products published and distributed by ACER Press are available for sale directly to the public. The new office and shop are located at 1/165 Kelvin Grove Road, Kelvin Grove, QLD 4059. Phone (07) 3238 9000 Fax (07) 3228 9001. The shop is open from 9.00am to 5.00pm weekdays.

Research Developments issue 19

Research Developments issue 19, Winter 2008 is now available online. Articles in this edition explore school funding, Australia's performance in the 2006 OECD Programme for International Student Assessment (PISA), the recent Staff in Australia's School (SiAS) survey and outlines several of ACER's international projects. Print copies of Research Developments 19 will be distributed in mid August.