SOUTH AUSTRALIAN ASSOCIATION OF STATE SCHOOL ORGANISATIONS
Supporting schools, governing councils and state education through training, advice and advocacy
SAASSO's Education Update 23
March 10, 2010
With the all the that happens in South Australia combined with the increasing influence of the Federal Education Revolution, it's easy to miss important changes to how our children are educated.
Each week, SAASSO's Education Update bulletin is emailed to members across the state; keeping you up to date with the lastest media stories about our public schools.
The links below will take you to the stories listed in this week's Education Update.
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SAASSO 2010 Election Submission
This week SAASSO will release its 2010 Election Submission for Public Education.
The issues outlined in this submission are those which we, on behalf of our members, feel are critical to education in South Australia today.
SAASSO's asks both parties to give serious consideration to these priorities when developing education policy.
Issues covered in the submission include:
· Governance Review
· Super Schools
· Special Needs Education
· Parent Support and Training
· Education Ombudsman
· Performance Pay
· Literacy and Numeracy
· Sun Smart Policy
· Teacher Quality
· Merit Selection
Digital Revolution
An advisory board has warned the Federal Government's promise to equip every high school student with a computer is endangered by disputes over funding and a lack of support for teachers.
The panel of information technology experts from all school sectors in every state and territory has highlighted "major areas of risk" in a report for the Council of Australian Governments.
The report emphasises the need for collaboration at all levels to make the project succeed. It states that "ongoing discussions about the additional costs of the (computer rollout) will impact on implementation".
AEU President Angelo Gavrielatos stated education authorities must provide help-desk back-up for teachers so they did not have to spend their time fixing glitches or updating software."It is not the role of teachers to provide IT support" he said.
For the full story visit:
http://www.theaustralian.com.au/politics/school-scheme-lacks-it-support/story-e6frgczf-1225836734487
It has also been revealed by The Advertiser that 14,071 (41%) of the 34,373 computers available in round 2 & 3 of the Digital Revolution scheme are still waiting to be taken up by public high schools.
According to DECS, 4241 (95%) of the 4442 computers offered in round 1 have been installed.
A DECS spokeswoman said schools had until September 30 next year to order and install computers to meet the Governments requirement of a computer for every student in year 9-12.
For more information about the Digital Revolution visit: http://www.saasso.asn.au/educationrevolution/digital-revolution
Rudd Weighs In On School Bullying
Last week, Prime Minister Kevin Rudd sparked debate when he urged parents to take matters into their own hands, if they are unsatisfied with the way their child's school handles bullying.
Rudd stated bullying should ideally be sorted out between the children, then if that did not work by the teacher or principal.
Despite many parents backing his approach, experts slammed Rudd’s suggestions.
Dr Michael Carr-Gregg, a renowned bullying expert who is a founding member of the National Centre Against Bullying, described the Prime Minister’s comments as "the worst piece of advice".
For the full story visit:
More Disability Support Proposed
Labor has promised more disability support for SA schools if re-elected.
They will set up 6 special units at state schools for students with disabilities. It says there are currently 20 units across SA, and 2 of the proposed new ones would focus on autism.
Minister for Disability Jane Lomax-Smith says "they will be co-located on school grounds where they can have social interactions and join some of the classes and activities."
Dignity for Disability candidate for the seat of Adelaide Sam Paior says the need is much greater than the ALP acknowledges.
For the full story visit:
http://www.abc.net.au/news/stories/2010/03/04/2836273.htmLiberal Plan For Adelaide High School
Moving Year 7’s To High School
Pressure is growing in SA to shift Year 7 to the High School system.
Currently, NSW, Vic, ACT & Tas have Year 7 at the start of High School, while QLD is considering the same.
Education experts say Year 7 students could be disadvantaged if they remain in the Primary School system under the national curriculum – for instance, in science, which could require secondary school facilities such as laboratories.
DECS Chief Executive Chris Robinson said although there were no plans at the moment to change the school structure in SA, he would be watching the outcome in QLD with ‘considerable interest’.