Fee increases still on the table after Senate committee reports on higher education changes
Though more moderate than the 2014 version, the new higher education reform package represents groundhog day for the major political parties.
Academic rigour, journalistic flair
Analysis and Comment
Reward or punishment: finding the best match for your child’s personality
Parents need to use different approaches to shape behaviour depending on the child's personality type.
Primary schools are losing more and more male teachers, so how can we retain them?
The continuing decline in the numbers of male primary school teachers suggests more attention needs to be placed on retaining those already in the profession.
To empower students with effective writing skills, handwriting matters
Writing is a fundamental outcome indicator of learning across subjects and grades. The latest NAPLAN results tell us we need to do more to empower children with these skills.
NAPLAN is ten years old – so how is the nation faring?
This year's preliminary NAPLAN results show Australian students are flatlining after ten years of the controversial tests.
Universities unveil plan to reduce sexual harassment and sexual assault on campus
Universities have responded to the release of the Australian Human Rights Commission report into sexual assault and sexual harassment on campus with a ten-point plan.
Universities have a problem with sexual assault and harassment: here’s how to fix it
A new report reveals that Australian universities are not as safe as they should be, and it's time they adopted strategies to fix the problem.
School uniform policies need to accommodate students’ cultural practices
A case before the Victorian Civil and Administrative Tribunal highlights the need for schools to accommodate articles of religious and cultural practice in their uniform policies.
Artificial intelligence holds great potential for both students and teachers – but only if used wisely
We should consider how artificial intelligence will impact how we teach, what we teach, and its potential to ethically support innovation and improvement in education.
When to send a child to school causes anxiety and confusion for parents
When to start their child at school is often a stressful decision for parents, and there is a need for more support for them in making that choice.
When it comes to kids and social media, it’s not all bad news
Social media provides many emotional, health and social benefits for young people.
How building your child’s spoken word bank can boost their capacity to read
Eye-tracking research reveals that children are likely to read new words faster and easier if they have heard the words before.
Student employment and inflexible university policies drive online drop out
Universities need to better accommodate student employment to improve the retention of online students.
How to maintain the balance between boundaries and freedom in secondary school parenting
There are four key styles to parenting high school students, and parents will likely need to move between two of them as their children grow up.
Why it matters to transform parent involvement from early childhood to primary school
The transition from early learning parent involvement to primary school level often leads to less face time with school and teachers and more home-based support for children.
Eleven games and activities for parents to encourage maths in early learning
There are several ways to help children learn and be interested in maths – even the reluctant ones.
How to encourage literacy in young children (and beyond)
Supporting early childhood literacy is not just about reading to your child. Research has found there are many and varied ways to increase literacy in early learning.
We know innovation is key – but there’s little agreement on exactly what it is
New research shows that young people and employers have different ideas about innovation and the future of work.
Electronic games: how much is too much for kids?
Low-to-moderate use of electronic games may have a positive effect on children's later academic achievement, but overuse can be detrimental.
Higher education fees are rising – so is it still worthwhile enrolling?
Earnings data suggest higher education remains financially attractive for most students, and the small proposed fee increases should not materially affect that.
Making progress on Indigenous education?
Autonomy and strong female leadership key to success of Indigenous owned Murri School
For the past 30 years, this Indigenous owned and controlled school has been quietly achieving results. Here's what the school board president says is behind their success.
Infographic: Are we making progress on Indigenous education?
Indigenous picture books offering windows into worlds
To lift literacy levels among Indigenous children, their parents’ literacy skills must be improved first
Is policy on Indigenous education deliberately being stalled?
We need to know the true cost of Indigenous boarding school scholarships on communities
History textbooks still imply that Australians are white
Gonski 2.0
Government reaches out to Catholics on Gonski 2.0
Simon Birmingham met Catholic education representatives on Monday night, receiving such a haranguing that at times it was difficult for him to get a word in.
Higher ed reforms
Why Birmingham’s performance funding plan won’t improve Australian universities
One aspect of the federal budget that hasn’t attracted the attention it should is the government’s plan to introduce “performance” funding for universities. Performance funding isn’t new to Australia’s…
Improving maths
What to say if your child asks, ‘what’s the point of maths?’
The questions young people tend to ask about maths often relate to their personal experience of how they found maths in school.
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Columnists
Research and Expert Database
Editors’ Picks
Bullying
Teenagers who are both bully and victim are more likely to have suicidal thoughts
When it comes to bullying, there is a common misconception that children neatly fall into a category of bully, victim, or not involved. This is not the case.
TV
Should parents expose children to news on terrorism?
Footage of wars, bombings and shootings can traumatise children. Here's how parents can help them cope with distressing content.
School choice
Selective schools’ long and tangled history with race and class
Selective schools have never operated in isolation from broader historical forces — including Australia’s connected histories of racial exclusion and immigration.
Employability
Companies shed degree requirements to promote merit over qualifications
While more people than ever are graduating from universities, some companies are abandoning degree requirements altogether.
Citizenship test
English language bar for citizenship likely to further disadvantage refugees
Refugees are both more likely to apply for citizenship, and twice as likely as other migrant groups to have to retake the test.
Budget round up
Federal Budget 2017: what’s changing in education?
Education experts discuss changes to schools and universities following the federal treasurer's budget speech.
Reading
Explainer: how the brain changes when we learn to read
We are not hard-wired to read. It has taken thousands of years of practice to forge connections in our brains to help us do this.
Uni careers
Teaching-only roles could mark the end of your academic career
Teaching-only positions are perceived as second class, with few opportunities for research or career progression.
Research
How ethical is sexual assault research?
A recent survey about sexual assault on university campuses was criticised as being unethical. So what is the right way to go about conducting such research?
Reading
How animals can help autistic children
Spending time with pets can lead to significantly improved social skills and motivation for learning.
Child development
Can a four-year-old be sexist?
At the age of four, children have a basic understanding of gender differences and expectations. But it is unlikely they would knowingly be sexist.
School uniform
Why do schools want all students to look the same?
By providing a blanket approach to uniform policies, schools risk repressing cultural identity and diversity.
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- NAPLAN results show it isn’t the basics that are missing in Australian education
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