Increasing numbers of overseas students are applying to study at universities in Australia. Many students who meet all of the university's academic entry requirements except English language proficiency are offered pathway programs which prepare them for their tertiary studies. To date, much of the research relating to international students…

The mature-age learner's re-engagement with a formal learning environment may be somewhat akin to the novice Paintball player who, unless well positioned and attuned to the rules of the combative game, is bombarded and worn down by constant "hits". For the mature-age learner, such "hits" may come in the form of tensions…

The Career Development Program is a nationally recognised, award-winning student-centred program designed to deal with the three university-wide learning and teaching initiatives: Transitions In; Work Integrated Learning; and Transitions Out. The program is oriented to preparing students for university; planning for and taking advantage of…

Tertiary education is now accessible even to those who appear unlikely "ex ante" to succeed in jobs requiring post-high school education. Institutions that have broadened access to their programs must rely on two things to protect the quality of the degrees they award: selection mechanisms operating during students' tenure, and effective…

Australian universities need to maintain their high reputation for quality in order to attract and retain buyers of Australian education-related products. Learners are becoming increasingly discerning in terms of what they are buying and why they should buy it. Thus, quality is a critical issue for Australian university programs in general as well…

Interviews with 209 Australian young people who chose not to complete secondary education reveal the complexity of this decision is based on their individual agency in constructing alternative lives. They resist credentialing, which poses an impediment rather than serves as an access mechanism. (Contains 33 references.) (SK)

"Straight A's: Public Education Policy and Progress" is a biweekly newsletter that focuses on education news and events both in Washington, DC and around the country. The following articles are included in this issue: (1) More Good, Less Bad, and Still Need for Improvement: Latest International Test Reveals U.S. Progress in Math and…

Discusses the structure of the Matriculation Physics course offered in South Australian secondary schools and points to weaknesses in terms of preparation for students who elect to study physics at the tertiary level. (JR)

These proceedings contain the papers of the International Conference on Educational Technologies 2013 (ICEduTech 2013), which has been organised by the International Association for Development of the Information Society and co-organised by the Faculty of Computer Science & Information Technology, Universiti Putra Malaysia, Kuala Lumpur,…

While diversity and commonality are not necessarily contradictory aspirations in relation to contemporary teaching in higher education, they exist potentially in a state of dynamic tension, fostered by market-based and government-induced policies that strive to have the largest and widest possible client- or customer-base, while reducing costs by…

Melbourne (Australia) independent schools often advertize their high academic standards, quality curriculum, and competent and caring teaching staff. American public schools should highlight their own strengths by aggressively marketing their college-bound to vocational curricula, their expert and caring faculty, and their disciplined environment.…

Comparison of students in vocational education programs (n=31) versus postsecondary preparation programs (n=28) in three Australian high schools (all-boys, all-girls, co-ed) showed that low achievers in vocational education had greater increases in self-concept, regardless of school type. Co-ed students had greater increases in total self-concept.…

Every year approximately 800 students enrol in the tertiary preparatory course TPP7181 at the University of Southern Queensland. Successful completion of this course will allow students to enrol in either further preparatory level mathematics courses or undergraduate study. For many of the students enrolled in this course, the study of mathematics…

A study examined academic literacy in high-risk South African students entering postsecondary education, and the relationship of academic literacy to instructional development. Data were gathered in discussions with academic staff at South African universities and technikons and at the University of Saskatchewan. The report begins with background…

Describes the establishment and operation of adult Individual Learning Centres in New South Wales (Australia) colleges to provide a flexible alternative to existing college preparatory courses. The Centres include alternative instructional methods, individual study, self-instructional materials, open entry/exit arrangements, and teacher tutoring.…