A study observed how four boys focused in group literacy activities in a whole language classroom, observed the literacy development of the four boys early in grade 1, and reflected on the teacher's role in class literacy activities. Data included daily journal entries made by the teacher/researcher, copies of students' work, and interviews with…

To enhance the professional development of teachers and encourage an ongoing climate of innovation and reform, while providing for direct benefits for students, Australia's Schools Commission instituted a program allowing funds for curricular innovation to be granted directly to teachers. Interviews with a random sample of 45 of these grantees,…

This study first provides a review of literature relevant to curriculum autonomy and school-based curriculum development, with special emphasis on Australian secondary schools. The second part of the report analyzes Australian secondary school staff's perceptions of: 1) the meaning of curriculum autonomy, 2) the advantages and disadvantages of…

This book consists of 14 selected papers that focus on the broad topic of educational planning. All the papers were originally presented at the Twelfth Annual Conference of the Australian College of Education, which was held in May 1971. Titles of the papers include "People, Policies and Planning,""Planning for Effective Education:…

This article summarizes the content of the discussions at the 1977 M.L.T.A.V. Congress. The main issues were the relationship between language and culture, the aims and objectives of language teaching, problems of motivation and individualization, school language policies, examinations, and teacher training. (CFM)

Noting that bullying in school is a growing concern in Australian communities, this handbook draws upon a 10-year study of bullying in Australian schools and is designed to help educators find out what is happening in their school and develop sound anti-bullying policies. The handbook also provides guidance in working effectively with students to…

This study investigated teacher involvement in decision making in the Victoria (Australia) government school system. Data analysis found teacher involvement to be associated with gender, seniority and organizational responsibility, age and teaching experience, affiliation with the teachers' association, the influence of the principal, professional…

A study investigated the relationship of certain teacher characteristics (gender, teaching experience) and current work situation (K-6, secondary, or administrative) on perceptions of what teaching involves, actions taken during a work-to-rule campaign, and attitudes toward work-to-rule. Results are discussed in terms of the social and…

The status of Australian law and policy concerning college faculty's intellectual property rights is examined briefly. A number of recent occurrences, some reflecting trends and some discrete events, are used to illustrate the legal and cultural circumstances that frame the discussion about intellectual property and academics. (MSE)

Student teachers relate their teaching experiences in small rural schools in Queensland (Australia), including recognizing the importance of the school to its community, the resources that rural schools use in providing a quality education, the role of the teacher in a rural setting, and the close relationship between rural teachers and their…

Analysis of a survey of 1,556 academics in Australian universities identifies changing work practices that influence the quality of teaching. Notes changing shifts in time spent in and commitment to teaching, changes in approaches to workloads, and work role problems at different ages, career stages, disciplines, and institutions. Concludes that…

Teachers in recent years have expressed a great deal of dissatisfaction with their status in society, consistently citing it as one of the most negative aspects of their role. Numerous studies have demonstrated that teachers believe their status in Australian society to be poor and their work undervalued. However, surveys of the Australian public…

This paper argues the importance of examining the collective dimension of masculinities in the early school years through a description of a study into children's (young males') peer group relations. Specifically, the paper attends to the significance of the peer group in shaping behaviour, and in particular exaggerated "masculine"…

Based on the idea that assessment and evaluation have become major concerns in elementary education, this book offers a solution for involving both children and parents in the processes of evaluation. Arguing for a program known as "negotiated evaluation," the book gives practical suggestions for implementing the program; looks at…

This paper discusses a study that examined the establishment of a new senior high school mathematics curriculum into schools in the State of Western Australia. Two aspects of change are discussed: (1) the extent to which the reconceptualization of the pedagogical approach to teaching mathematics encouraged in the reform was taken up by teachers,…