Education Commons^™

The Transition From Education To Work In Australia Compared To Selected Oecd Countries, Phil Mckenzie

Dr Phillip McKenzie

This paper attempts to provide an international perspective on young people's transition from education to work in Australia. It draws on the Organisation for Economic Co- operation and Development (OECD) review of the education-to-work transition process in Member countries, on which the author worked from 1996 to mid- 1998. The first part of the paper provides some background on the OECD review. In the second part, transition structures, processes and outcomes are described in comparative terms, and strengths and weaknesses of the Australian approach are discussed.

International Developments In Vocational Pathways: Lessons For Australia, Phil Mckenzie

Dr Phillip McKenzie

This paper attempts to distil lessons from international developments in the transition from education to work for the current debate on VET in schools in Australia. It draws mainly on the OECD's current review of the education-to-work transition process in Member countries. The first part of the paper provides some background on the OECD review. In the second section, key findings from the OECD project are presented and their implications for Australia discussed. The overall conclusion from the OECD review is that improving young people's transition from education to work requires policy coherence across a wide range of policy fronts …

Factors Influencing Assigned Student Achievement Levels, Sheldon Rothman

Dr Sheldon Rothman

During 1997, teachers in South Australian government schools were asked to assign a level of achievement using the nationally developed curriculum profiles in English, Science, Studies of Society and Environment, and Technology. About one third of state schools participated. Data were collected on student achievement levels, student background factors (age, gender, school card status, aboriginality, special programs), school background factors (CAP, DSP), and teacher confidence in assigning achievement levels using profiles. This paper presents loglinear models to report on relationships between assigned levels and student background, school background, and teacher confidence; relationships among the strands in each learning area; and …

Well-Being Among Young Australians: Effects Of Work And Home Life For Four Youth In Transition Cohorts, Nicole Fleming

Nicole Wernert

This report examines the relationship of well-being with a variety of demographic and economic factors among Australian young people. Influences include gender, income, marital and employment status. Data for this report originated from the longitudinal study 'Youth in Transition' and the results indicate that income, employment and relationships are important for maintaining subjective well-being and happiness

Factors Influencing Youth Unemployment In Australia: 1980- 1994, Gary Marks, Nicole Fleming

Nicole Wernert

Examines unemployment amongst Australian youth between 1980 and 1994. Factors associated with employment levels are discussed including demographic factors, educational achievement and economic indicators.

A Survey Of Graphics Calculator Use In Victorian Secondary Schools, Alla Routitsky, Patrick Tobin

Dr Alla Routitsky

In 1997, Victoria became the first state to permit the use of graphics calculators in final external examinations. The action was seen as radical for both social and educational reasons. Concerns were raised about the propriety of using the calculators and whether their use would add to existing educational disparities. With the support of the Board of Studies, a survey of secondary schools was undertaken to gauge the response to this decision and inform further action on graphics calculator use in mathematical courses.

Youth Earnings In Australia 1980-1994: A Comparison Of Three Youth Cohorts, Gary Marks, Nicole Fleming

Nicole Wernert

This report examines hourly earnings among Australian youth. The influences on hourly earnings were analysed in three sections. The first presents the correlation between earnings and social background, school factors, qualifications and labour market history. The second part models earnings using a four step procedure adding, sequentially, social and demographic background factors. school factors, qualifications and Year 12 completion, and employment history. The final section focuses on aging and cohort effects by examining the inmpact on hourly earnings of gender, schooling, qualifications and work experiences at particular ages.

Levels Of Economic Literacy: From Items To Global Indicators, Petra Lietz, Dieter Kotte, Danielle Hebers

Dr Petra Lietz

Currently, Economics is an elective school subject in all States and Territories. In Queensland, only students in Year 11 and 12 have the possibility to study Economics. The major aim of the Economic Literacy Survey - Queensland 1998 was to assess Economic literacy levels of students at the senior secondary school throughout Queensland. The target group, thus, comprised students from both Year 11 and 12. The Economic Literacy Survey built on last year's Economic Literacy Pilot Study conducted in schools throughout Central Queensland. Piloting served to validate the various questionnaires for students, teachers and schools participating in the survey. Performance …

Autocrine Hepatocyte Growth Factor Provides A Local Mechanism For Promoting Axonal Growth, X. Yang, J. Toma, S. Bamji, Daniel Belliveau, J. Kohn, M. Park, F. Miller

Daniel J. Belliveau

In this report, we describe a novel local mechanism necessary for optimal axonal growth that involves hepatocyte growth factor (HGF). Sympathetic neurons of the superior cervical ganglion coexpress bioactive HGF and its receptor, the Met tyrosine kinase, both in vivo and in vitro. Exogenous HGF selectively promotes the growth but not survival of cultured sympathetic neurons; the magnitude of this growth effect is similar to that observed with exogenous NGF. Conversely, HGF antibodies that inhibit endogenous HGF decrease sympathetic neuron growth but have no effect on survival. This autocrine HGF is required locally by sympathetic axons for optimal growth, as …

Linguistic And Cultural Norms In Language Testing : A Case Study, Annie Brown, Tom Lumley

Dr Tom Lumley

Users of English in Asia may not have the same need to aspire to a ' standard' form of English. It may be more appropriate for them to develop a communicative competence employing the sociolinguistic and cultural norms of the region. Taking such an approach in the development of tests of English proficiency involves rethinking basic assumptions. This paper considers these issues in the context of a test of English proficiency developed for use with English teachers in Indonesia

Opening Pathways From Education To Work, Marianne Durand-Drouhin, Phil Mckenzie, Richard Sweet

Dr Phillip McKenzie

The participation rate in education has been rising in OECD countries in recent years. Yet, on average around a quarter of young people leave school without completing their upper- secondary education. Many of the obstacles young school-leavers face are caused by failure or under- achievement at school. On the principle that prevention is better than cure, the pathways to work and adult life would be improved by aiming government policy first and foremost at reducing failure levels at school. This article explores differences between the experiences of people with low levels of qualifications in different OECD countries.

Thematic Review Of The Transition From Initial Education To Working Life, Phil Mckenzie, Marianne Durand-Drouhin

Dr Phillip McKenzie

The transition to work is "a key stage in laying the basis for continuing progression in learning and work throughout adult life" and "remains a key policy issue" among OECD members. For one thing, training and education—while presenting youth with diverse pathways—often fail to motivate youth, leaving them unsure of how to benefit from such opportunities. Those at greatest risk against the labour market must be taking seriously into account, but the same has to be done with those who have chosen to follow a tertiary education pathway. The transition process is tending to become longer. It is also complex, …

Supporting Youth Pathways, Phil Mckenzie, Marianne Durand-Drouhin, Richard Sweet

Dr Phillip McKenzie

As ever greater value is placed on people's skills, knowledge and attitudes, the demand for learning and relearning over a lifetime is increasing. What are the current patterns of participation in education and other forms of learning, from infancy through adult years? What policy orientations have been adopted by governments to advance lifelong learning? To what extent do existing policies and practices take into account the new ways young people and adults will need to learn and the choices, interests, experiences and circumstances of learners themselves? These are some of the questions addressed in this new edition of Education Policy …

Differential Access To Higher Education: The Measurement Of Socioeconomic Status, Rurality And Isolation, John Western, Julie Mcmillan, Denise Durrington

Julie McMillan

No abstract provided.

The Omit Phenomenon In High-Stakes Achievement Testing Using An Short- Response Format, Gabrielle Matters

Dr Gabrielle Matters