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Schools do matter, say ACER education experts Education systems must overcome ‘biological social determinism’ to focus on student learning, Professor Steve Dinham of the Australian Council for Educational Research told education leaders in a series of seminars in late February. “Many people today, including practicing teachers, still subscribe, consciously or subconsciously, to various forms of biological social determinism, despite overwhelming evidence to the contrary,” said Professor Dinham, Research Director of ACER’s Teaching, Learning and Leadership research program. “What students can achieve in their education is not predetermined by heredity, where they live, their socio-economic background or family circumstances. All students can benefit from quality education,” he said. "“Similarly, there is no such thing as a ‘born teacher’, and all teachers are capable of learning to be more effective.” “But it takes time for teachers to develop from novice to competent to expert, and the expectation that first-year teachers will immediately be capable is unrealistic.” According to Professor Dinham, student learning and achievement should be the focus of every school, educational system, and education department and faculty. Quality leadership should drive this focus. Professor Brain Caldwell, Deputy Chair of the ACER Board of Directors, also spoke about the connection between student achievement, professional learning, quality teaching and leadership. “A degree of artistry is required to ensure an optimal balance of autonomy, accountability and choice,” Professor Caldwell said. “Transformation is within the reach of every school that develops the four forms of capital and is governed well. Findings from international studies provide the foundation for a 10-point, 10-year strategy to enable all schools to become as good as those currently considered to be the best, here in Australia and in other nations,” he said. Professor Dinham and Professor Caldwell presented a series of seminars in Melbourne, Sydney and Brisbane on 23, 24 and 25 February. The seminars were conducted by ACER’s Leadership Centre. Professor Dinham’s latest book, How to Get Your School Moving and Improving, and Professor Caldwell’s latest book, Why Not the Best Schools? are published by ACER Press. « Back to eNews
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Education systems must overcome ‘biological social determinism’ to focus on student learning, Professor Steve Dinham of the Australian Council for Educational Research told education leaders in a series of seminars in late February.

“Many people today, including practicing teachers, still subscribe, consciously or subconsciously, to various forms of biological social determinism, despite overwhelming evidence to the contrary,” said Professor Dinham, Research Director of ACER’s Teaching, Learning and Leadership research program.

“What students can achieve in their education is not predetermined by heredity, where they live, their socio-economic background or family circumstances. All students can benefit from quality education,” he said. "“Similarly, there is no such thing as a ‘born teacher’, and all teachers are capable of learning to be more effective.”

“But it takes time for teachers to develop from novice to competent to expert, and the expectation that first-year teachers will immediately be capable is unrealistic.”

According to Professor Dinham, student learning and achievement should be the focus of every school, educational system, and education department and faculty. Quality leadership should drive this focus.

Professor Brain Caldwell, Deputy Chair of the ACER Board of Directors, also spoke about the connection between student achievement, professional learning, quality teaching and leadership.

“A degree of artistry is required to ensure an optimal balance of autonomy, accountability and choice,” Professor Caldwell said.

“Transformation is within the reach of every school that develops the four forms of capital and is governed well. Findings from international studies provide the foundation for a 10-point, 10-year strategy to enable all schools to become as good as those currently considered to be the best, here in Australia and in other nations,” he said.

Professor Dinham and Professor Caldwell presented a series of seminars in Melbourne, Sydney and Brisbane on 23, 24 and 25 February. The seminars were conducted by ACER’s Leadership Centre.

Professor Dinham’s latest book, How to Get Your School Moving and Improving, and Professor Caldwell’s latest book, Why Not the Best Schools? are published by ACER Press.

Schools do matter, say ACER education experts