Articles

‘Every student should be on the same (inclusive) path of learning, [and] every student should make excellent ongoing progress and eventually achieve the same high standards,’ Professor Geoff Masters AO writes in his latest Teacher column, adding that the challenge is in creating the conditions to enable this to happen.

There has been a growing trend of people following a gluten-free diet for its supposed ‘health’ benefits. But, what is gluten? How does it affect our bodies? And, does restricting gluten from your diet make you healthier? In today’s Q&A, we speak to Sophie Mahoney and Dr Heidi Staudacher from Deakin University’s Food & Mood Centre to find out more.

‘Rather than dwelling on the daily COVID case numbers, I was consumed with producing the perfect loaf.’ Victorian teacher Sylvia Wood from Scoresby Secondary College shares her journey to perfecting sourdough bread, and explains why it proved to be a great stress reliever during a difficult period of lockdowns.

All three members of the editorial team are with you today for a special episode of The Research Files, to share some of the highlights from last month’s ACER Research Conference. The online event featured five days of keynotes, presentations, a research video showreel and a masterclass, all on the theme of ‘Excellent progress for every student: What will it take?’

‘Racism impacts profoundly on the lives of children and young people with major effects on health and wellbeing, and on education and social outcomes.’ In this Q&A, the lead author of a rapid evidence review on the prevalence of racism and racial discrimination experienced by young people in Australia, shares the findings and implications for educators.

Our annual reader survey has just closed for another year. In this article, we share some of the topics you’d like to see us cover in the future, the advice you’d share with your fellow educators, and, of course, the winner of the prize for completing the survey.

‘Learning is complex – students need explicit and implicit knowledge, skills, and dispositions to succeed across the diverse and often crowded curriculum. But do our students actually know which learning strategies are the most effective?’ Today’s article shares details of the Learning to Learn program and Learner’s Toolkit at Goulburn Valley Grammar School.

A new Mission Australia and Black Dog Institute report has analysed Mission Australia Youth Survey findings from 2012-20 to better understand psychological distress faced by 15- to 19-year-olds in Australia. Data show there has been a significant increase in the proportion of young people experiencing mental health challenges. Find out more in today’s infographic.

Two Australian educators have been named in the top 50 finalists for the 2021 Global Teacher Prize. Deputy Principal of Bonnyrigg Public School in New South Wales, Rebecca West, and English and History teacher from Brunswick Secondary College in Victoria, Steven Kolber are in the running to win the US$1 million prize.

Which factors determine the effectiveness of school boards? A new study by academics from Monash University’s Business School has found that board diversity, board practices, and principal influence over board decisions, all impact board effectiveness. They also have a sizeable bearing on the school’s financial and academic wellbeing.