Conference

Additional $635 million for Government primary schools
Government primary schools will receive an additional $635 million over the next four years as part of the new National Education Agreement. Minister for Education, 1 December 2008.

Schools thinking big about small technologies
The Minister for Education, Julia Gillard, has launched an innovative secondary school resource that will assist science teachers to teach nanotechnology. AccessNano was developed following feedback from science teachers that children were asking to be taught about nanotechnology. Minister for Education, 28 November 2008.

Govt more than doubles cash for school computers
The Federal Government will boost funding for its computers in schools program after complaints from the states and territories that the scheme was under-funded. ABC News, 28 November 2008

Parliament passes legislation to create new national education authority
The Senate has cleared the way for the creation of a new national statutory authority to manage the development of a National Curriculum and a national system of assessment and reporting. Minister for Education, 27 November 2008.

New pathway into teaching
The Minister for Education, Julia Gillard, has announced the Australian Government will fund a new scheme to attract Australia's best graduates into teaching. Speaking at a Sydney dinner hosted by UBS Australia for Australia's corporate and education leaders, Ms Gillard called on educators and businesses to support the national scheme. DEEWR Media release, 27 November 2008

Smart IT tells how school students compare
With the click of a mouse, teachers will be able to identify gaps in their students' literacy and numeracy skills and track their progress against other students and schools using innovative software developed by NSW. The Australian, 27 November 2008.

Parents' Attitudes to Schooling report released
A national telephone survey of parents was conducted in October 2008, seeking information about parents' attitudes to the provision of information about individual schools. The report shows that parents want information about how their own children are going, both at home and at school and they understand the importance of information for producing systematic school improvement. Australian Labor Party, 26 November 2008.

Anti-violence plan for children
A Federal Government agency is developing a plan for anti-violence education programs for children. Libby Lloyd, Chair of the National Council to Reduce Violence Against Women and their Children, says the plan outlines ways to change the way school children think about relationships, to prevent them entering abusive ones later in life. ABC News, 26 November 2008.

One Laptop Per Child to give away laptops to Australian children
One Laptop Per Child (OLPC) is hoping a local version of its globally successful 'Give 1, Get 1' promotion will result in 5,000 XO laptops for disadvantaged children in Australia and the Pacific rim. ITNews, 25 November 2008.

Performance-based pay boosts education quality says expert
A US education reformer visiting Australia says governments should pay teachers more to take on the most challenging situations. New York Chancellor of Education, Joel Klein, believes teachers of certain subjects should be paid differently to ensure students get a better education. ABC News, 25 November 2008.