In this issue:

• Global economic crisis may affect education export
• Declines in the study of science and mathematics confirmed
• Early school leavers take up education, training and employment
• ACER UPDATE

The current economic crisis has the potential to reverse, or at least slow down, the growth of international student numbers in Australia, according to a paper presented to the annual conference of the Monash University-ACER Centre for the Economics of Education and Training (CEET) by ACER's Dr Phillip McKenzie in Melbourne on 31 October.

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A new report released by ACER on 30 October confirms that Australia faces significant challenges in boosting participation in science and mathematics studies in school education, university studies and in the teaching workforce.

The report provides updated figures on: the performance of Australian school students in science and mathematics; participation in science, mathematics, and technology in the final year of secondary school; university participation in science and technology studies;  and teachers, teaching and education in science, technology and mathematics. It shows, for example, that participation in senior secondary school science has declined over the 30 year period from 1976 to 2007.

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Only four per cent of 17 year olds in a recent ACER study had not completed Year 12, participated in an alternative vocational program or found full time employment. The majority of those who did not complete Year 12 were fully engaged in employment, education or training (80 per cent of males and 58 per cent of females), according to the study released on 23 October.

Reports often focus only on Year 12 completion rates. This study followed those who left school before completing Year 12 and found that many went on to study in different settings such as TAFE colleges and apprenticeships.

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VET advisory groups

ACER's Research Director, Transitions and Post-School Education and Training, Dr Phil McKenzie has been invited to represent ACER on two groups concerned with vocational education and training (VET).

The International Trades Fellowship Advisory Group group has been formed to advise the International Specialised Skills Institute (ISSI) on its program to select trades people for overseas study to help address areas of 'skill deficiencies' in the workforce. ISSI administers the program under contract to DEEWR. The advisory group members include representatives of government, industry, VET providers and research.

The Transport Research Education Consortium group has been formed by the Transport and Logistics Industry Skills Council (TLISC) to support the development of programs that profile transport industry VET research, help identify transport industry education and training needs, and examine issues relating to skill shortages in the transport industry.

Beyond the classroom, building school networks

Beyond the Classroom, building school networks by Rosalyn Black from the Foundation for Young Australians and published by ACER will be launched on 18 November by Sam Lipski, Chief Executive of the Pratt Foundation.

The book discusses networks involving the school, parents, community and businesses and calls for new models of schooling that recognise that the future of young people is the responsibility of the whole community. These models should form the basis of a new social alliance across school systems enabling all young people to take an active – if not leading – role in that community, beyond the school gates. Beyond the Classroom is available through ACER Press.