In this article, the authors argue the case for scientific evidenced-based practice in education. They consider what differentiates science from pseudoscience and what sources of information teachers typically regard as reliable. The What Works Clearinghouse is discussed with reference to certain limitations of its current operation. Given the…

Discusses a teacher's perspective on the whole language approach to reading instruction, based on her observations of Australian students. Examines the theoretical frameworks, the materials used for instruction, the time allotted for instruction, the role of the teacher, the lesson format, and student motivation. (PRA)

Includes "Broadening Our Horizons" (Holden); "Reading through 'Literacy Broadsheet'" (Hazell); "Tracking Writing through 49 Issues of 'Literacy Broadsheet'" (McGuirk); "Maths, Literacy--or Numeracy?" (Johnston); "Workplace Education: A 'Literacy Broadsheet' Perspective" (Adams); "I Always…

This paper discusses the teaching of reading and writing, especially in the early years. The paper argues that if educators cut through the detail of much convergent and some discrepant research findings it is possible to uncover an integrated picture of how children's reading and writing skills develop, and how this development can be promoted.…

Describes a book award for which only children vote and claims that the children's participation in the award has promoted discriminating reading. (SRT)

This paper explores some ongoing dilemmas facing literacy educators, employing a combination of fictional accounts and summaries of actual instances during literacy lessons. Noting that the Commonwealth of Australia's recent policy/monograph is entitled "Literacy for All: The Challenge for Australian Schools," the paper points out that…

Several conditions, identified by Cambourne (1988) as contributing to children becoming successful language users, have been simulated in Australian schools in order for children to feel self-assured in mastering writing and reading just as these conditions have promoted the developmental process of talking in the home. The conditions are:…

Discusses curriculum statements produced in Victoria containing different views on how to teach English. States that the differences are due to the beliefs that either language is learned as a whole and with a purpose, or in parts as directed by the teacher. (EL)

Seeks to identify trends in reading education, including preservice, in-service, and tertiary education. Discusses the Australian Reading Association's policy statement on teacher education. (FL)

Argues that since the successful teaching of reading does not depend on materials and schemes alone, a teacher who fails to acknowledge cultural factors that influence a pupil's ways of knowing will achieve only limited success. (EL)

Reviews current research in Australia in the areas of writing, reading, spelling, and using the microcomputer in the English classroom. (EL)

Argues that the responsibility for the productivity of teachers must be shared by preservice institutions, professional teachers' associations, the school, and the individual teacher. Lists in-service activities used in a specific school district and presents a brief account of a review of reading-related language activities undertaken in that…

Discusses teacher accountability and suggests that teacher educators might take the initiative through encouraging evaluation at a number of levels, through better research, and through more broadly based programs of development. (FL)

This bibliographic essay discusses how Australian children's books and adolescent literature reflect Australian society. For example, Australian society tends to be male dominated; problems of a boy growing up in a mainly macho world are dealt with in Southall's "Josh" and "Walk a Mile" and in Phipson's "A Tide…

This paper suggests that by emphasizing word identification skills and oral reading and by using limited reading materials, teachers have neglected reading for meaning. Following a review of current instructional practices, the paper explains how understanding writing depends on the world experience, language knowledge, and processing strategies…