Research news

Research shows that when children thrive in their early years, they have a strong foundation for lifelong learning, health, development and wellbeing. New data from the 2024 Australian Early Development Census (AEDC) show there has been an overall increase in the percentage of children developmentally on track on 5 AEDC domains since the baseline was established in 2009. 

Latest Trends in International Mathematics and Science Study (TIMSS) data show the degree to which teachers are clear in the way they deliver the mathematics and science curriculum is likely to influence student learning. This includes ensuring students understand the learning goals for each lesson, being able to explain key concepts, and giving students helpful feedback. Find out more in this infographic.

In Episode 101 of The Research Files Teacher editor Jo Earp is joined by ACER Senior Research Fellow Dr Rebecca Taylor to explore survey data from 2 reports into music teaching and music education in primary schools, all about the ‘what’, ‘when’, and ‘how’ music learning is delivered.

Australia’s year 4s achieved the country’s best-ever result in the latest Trends in International Mathematics and Science Study (TIMSS). Alongside the year 4 and 8 assessments, students, teachers and principals at participating schools completed a questionnaire – those findings have been released today.

Each cycle of the Programme for International Student Assessment (PISA) includes a student questionnaire. One topic – mathematics anxiety – is characterised by feelings of tension, fear or apprehension when a person is faced with mathematics-related tasks. Today’s infographic provides useful prompts for teachers when considering their own students.

In this edition of Researching education: Five further readings, we’re sharing resources on mathematics education in primary and secondary, including on teaching finance, mathematics anxiety and more. 

Sometimes students make a behaviour choice thinking it will help them fit in with their peers. A new report from ACER and Life Ed explores tobacco and vaping use among secondary students and finds their beliefs about ‘the norm’ don’t reflect reality.

The largest ever study on the job ambitions of 15-year-olds has revealed a stark mismatch between teenagers’ career expectations, education choices and labour market demands. In particular, the newly released OECD data show more needs to be done to help young people from disadvantaged backgrounds.

In this episode of The Research Files podcast, Teacher editor Jo Earp chats to Jenni Ingram, Professor of Mathematics at the University of Oxford, about the OECD’s Unlocking High-Quality Teaching report. Alongside insights from 150 schools in 50 countries, it explores 20 practices that teachers draw on to achieve 5 key teaching goals.

New research from academics at the University of the Sunshine Coast shows that maths and science educators can use visual cues in nature like animal trails and patterns to explore both simple and complex mathematical concepts with students.