Education Commons^™

Challenges In Stem Learning In Australian Schools, Michael J. Timms, Kathryn Moyle, Paul R. Weldon, Pru Mitchell

Policy Insights

Australian STEM education seems caught in a whirlpool of problems that are contributing to one another. Student engagement and performance in STEM are declining, but we do not have the supply of qualified teachers we need to improve learning. The STEM curriculum is unbalanced and fragmented, leading to less interest among students. It is not possible to break out of the downward cycle from within the current system and it requires policy changes that address the issues raised in this report. This means developing well-considered, systemic and joined-up policies that address the following challenges: Improving student outcomes, building the STEM …

Challenges In Stem Learning In Australian Schools: Literature And Policy Review, Michael J. Timms, Kathryn Moyle, Paul R. Weldon, Pru Mitchell

Policy Analysis and Program Evaluation

This literature and policy review outlines the complex context related to STEM learning in Australian schools and focuses on student outcomes, the teacher workforce and the curriculum. This paper also sheds light on possible policy directions by examining lessons from other countries. STEM education is a broad enterprise that starts in early childhood education, continues through the years of schooling and extends into tertiary education supported by contributions from extracurricular and enrichment activities, science centres and museums. However, the focus in this document is on primary and secondary schooling. Australian STEM education seems caught in a whirlpool of problems that …

What Is 'Equity' In Education, Geoff N. Masters Ao, Ray J. Adams

Teacher columnist – Geoff Masters

Equity in education is often viewed as equivalence or sameness. A more useful way to view equity is through the lens of ‘fairness’.

Icils International Computer And Information Literacy Study 2013: At A Glance: Highlights From The Full Australian Report – Australian Students’ Readiness For Study, Work And Life In The Digital Age, Lisa De Bortoli, Sarah Buckley, Catherine Underwood, Elizabeth O'Grady, Eveline Gebhardt

ICT - Digital Literacy

The International Computer and Information Literacy Study (ICILS) is the first international comparative study that examines students’ acquisition of computer and information literacy: ‘the ability to use computers to investigate, create and communicate in order to participate effectively at home, at school, in the workplace and in society'. This publication includes highlights from the full Australian report called ICILS 2013: Australian students’ readiness for study, work and life in the digital age which is available for download from http://research.acer.edu.au/ict_literacy/6/

Lleap 2013 Survey Report : Leading By Evidence To Maximise The Impact Of Philanthropy In Education, Michelle Anderson, Emma Curtin

Leading Learning in Education and Philanthropy (LLEAP)

There are people who wish to give in a structured and planned manner, money, time or talents to advance the education of students in need. However, they may not know what schools and their communities need or what prevents them from accessing this additional support. Conversely, what those from schools know and understand about philanthropy is limited. Historically, not-for-profit organisations, with their various programs or services, have been the intermediary between school communities and philanthropy.

The Leading Learning in Education and Philanthropy (LLEAP) survey provides a comprehensive study on these issues.

Among the 2013 LLEAP survey findings:

The good news …

Snapshot Of School–Community Partnerships In Australian Schools, Sharon Clerke

Policy Analysis and Program Evaluation

Schools across Australia are increasingly connecting and engaging with community groups to create opportunities for their students. From marine parks to art galleries, radio stations to local councils, aged care to football clubs, neighbourhood houses to garden centres, the possibilities for collaboration are endless. Schools are reaching out into the broader community to build exciting and innovative relationships that are designed to have a positive impact on student learning.

This report describes some of the ways that schools and community groups are collaborating using information contained in Impact Award applications submitted by schools in 2010 and 2011. The NAB Schools …

Lleap Dialogue Series (No.2) : A Practical Guide To Grow Your Ideas For Maximum Impact, Michelle Anderson, Emma Curtin

Leading Learning in Education and Philanthropy (LLEAP)

This Guide, number 2 in the series, has been designed as a user friendly tool that could be used by different groups within education and philanthropy to suit their needs (e.g. in the training of philanthropic program managers in education; in the development of educational projects in schools; or supporting school-philanthropic-not-for-profit collaborations). Included are two ‘think pieces’ around collaboration: one on socially intelligent schools by Bill Lucas; the other on philanthropy and Indigenous education by Tony Dreise. These are followed by frameworks and guiding principles; and specific tools, tips and strategies for improving collaboration and engagement. Fifteen cases are also …

Partnering For Success, Sharon Clerke

Policy Analysis and Program Evaluation

The NAB Schools First Awards are the result of a partnership between two not-for-profits, the Australian Council for Educational Research (ACER) and the Foundation for Young Australians (FYA), and a large banking corporation, the National Australia Bank (NAB). The Awards project is a national criteria-based awards program which has been rewarding outstanding school–community partnerships since 2009. These Awards reflect a significant investment in education and by 2013, the fifth year of the Awards, will have awarded over $18 million to support more than 500 school–community partnerships around Australia.

This report presents a snapshot of the impact the Awards program is …

Phase One Of The Demonstration Project On Course Redesign And Academic Productivity : Final Report, Peter Bentley, Hamish Bennett Coates, Leo Goedegebuure

Higher education research

The objectives of the Demonstration Project on Course Redesign and Academic Productivity (the ‘Demonstration Redesign Project’) are to improve academic productivity and student learning. The project originated out of a series of executive seminars organised by the LH Martin Institute (LHMI) and led by Professor Bill Massy. These seminars highlighted successful academic productivity and student learning improvements achieved through course redesigns led by the National Center for Academic Transformation (NCAT) in the USA. Building on early 2010 foundation meetings with NCAT in Washington DC, the Demonstration Redesign Project is a partnership between the two participating universities, James Cook University (JCU) …

Leading Learning In Education And Philanthrophy : 2011 Survey Report, Michelle Anderson, Emma Curtin

Leading Learning in Education and Philanthropy (LLEAP)

The findings of the first national survey on philanthropy in education have confirmed that when it comes to grant seeking, those least equipped can often be the ones most in need, with nine out of ten Australian schools surveyed considering themselves novices at philanthropic grant seeking. The three-year Leading Learning in Education and Philanthropy (LLEAP) project seeks to explore whether the full potential of funding and partnerships across the philanthropic and education sectors is being achieved. The 2011 Survey Report, released in November, uses the responses of 302 schools, not-for-profits, philanthropic foundations and trusts to help form a clearer picture …

Improving Educational Outcomes In The Northern Territory : Preliminary Advice To The Northern Territory Department Of Education And Training, With A Particular Focus On The Ongoing Improvement Of Students’ Literacy And Numeracy Achievements, Geoff N. Masters

School and system improvement

The primary focus of this review is on strategies for improving literacy and numeracy outcomes in the Northern Territory. Clearly, the role of school education is much broader than the development of students literacy and numeracy skills, but these are foundational skills on which almost all other school learning is based. It is also clear from research that low levels of literacy and numeracy by the middle years of school are associated with lower school completion rates and a range of post-school outcomes, including higher levels of unemployment, lower lifetime earnings, and poorer health outcomes. Although the primary focus of …

Lleap 2011 Overview For Schools, Australian Council For Educational Research (Acer)

Leading Learning in Education and Philanthropy (LLEAP)

This brief document provides an overview specifically for schools of findings from the Leading Learning in Education and Philanthropy (LLEAP) 2011 survey. LLEAP is a three-year national project that explores the impact of philanthropy in education in Australia. The survey findings cover what philanthropic foundations and trusts offer, the extent of school knowledge about the work of philanthropic foundations and trusts and how philanthropic foundations and trusts perceive how grant seeking applications can improve.

Lleap 2011 Overview For Not-For-Profits, Australian Council For Educational Research (Acer)

Leading Learning in Education and Philanthropy (LLEAP)

LLEAP is a three-year national project that explores the impact of philanthropy in education in Australia. A survey was conducted in 2011 by LLEAP of schools, philanthropics and not-for-profits. This brief overview reports on the survey findings in relation to not-for-profit organisations.

Lleap 2011 Overview For Philanthropic Foundations And Trusts, Australian Council For Educational Research (Acer)

Leading Learning in Education and Philanthropy (LLEAP)

Leading Learning in Education and Philanthropy (LLEAP) is a three-year national project that explores the impact of philanthropy in education in Australia. A survey was conducted of schools, philanthropic organisations and not for profits. This brief report provides a brief overview of the survey in relation to what philanthropic foundations and trusts reported were their key priority areas and target audiences.

Some Statistical Data On Education In Australia, Australian Council For Educational Research (Acer)

Information Bulletin

Tables Showing Numbers of Schools, Students and Teachers for All States and Australia, 1946.

Sources from which the information has been obtained are indicated by numbers in brackets in front of the figure given.

(1 Annual report of State department.

(2 Gazette or classified roll of state department.

(3 Statistical register or year book of state,

(4 University calendar.

(5 Information supplied by state department.

(6 Quoted by Dr. Sanders in Student Selection & Academic Success (Commonwealth Office Research Series, No.1).