Education reviews are booming. Shame the same can’t be said about school standards
Don’t be fooled by the “back to basics” language from the Berejiklian government — in reality, this NSW curriculum review…
School closures: light at the end of the tunnel – except in Danandrewstan
There is light at the end of the tunnel. Parents and policymakers have generally had enough, and schools are now…
School closures hurt disadvantaged families more
Schools are one of the most complex parts of the policy response to coronavirus. Policymakers seemingly have to navigate the…
Why school exams matter
Undoubtedly, the Higher School Certificate is hard. But final exams are not intended to be easy — to be some…
The climate strike: slacktivism and sloppy thinking
Would you rather be stuck in school at a maths lesson on a Friday afternoon or be outside stirring with your mates? No prizes for…
No, school choice does not cause ‘segregation’
The mental gymnastics displayed by some people in order to blame freedom of school choice for Australia’s education woes never…
We need to do better with teacher training
Australian teachers are underprepared for the classroom compared to those in other countries, according to a recent global survey. The…
Why are school standards still falling?
Despite all the policy differences in the election, there was little to distinguish between the two major parties on the…
Inequality in education is about more than money
Opponents of non-government schools often claim Australia’s school system is grossly inequitable. But this is not true. Multiple international OECD…
Fresh foreign threats to free speech on universities
The growing concern about academic freedom and free speech on university campuses typically relates to illiberal student activists shutting down…
Catholic schools should trade funds for freedom
A centre-right government and the largest non-government school system in Australia should be natural allies. But you wouldn’t think so,…
iPad notes
Distractions I sat nervously in the waiting area, tensely anticipating a diagnosis. After five minutes that seemed like five years,…
Private schools aren’t only for the rich
Every time data is released about enrolment numbers in public and private schools, it’s closely followed by a chorus of…
Yes, Gonski
The current political wisdom in education — or at least, the ‘wisdom’ of the Left — seems to be that…
The kids aren’t alright
It’s always amusing when you provide extensive evidence of X, then some academics respond only by exclaiming “there is no…
Why should the rich have free public schools?
We all know the school stereotype. Government schools are full of disadvantaged students and struggling for money, while overfunded wealthy…
Budget 2017: more unfunded promises and hypocrisy on school spending
One of the delicious ironies of politics is the tendency for one side to admonish the other side for doing…
Gonski 2.0 or Conski 2.0?
In a stunning political move, the government seized the Gonski high-ground yesterday by announcing Gonski 2.0, another review into how…
A new idea for schools that doesn’t involve more money? Outrageous!
An education policy that doesn’t include lavishing more money on schools? Outrageous! That’s been the common response to the federal…
