The biggest news from NAPLAN 2026? The results aren’t really better or worse
Phil Boorman/Getty Images National NAPLAN results for 2026 are released today. This is the test of Australian students’ literacy and numeracy skills in years 3, 5, 7 and 9. The Australian Curriculum, Assessment and Reporting Authority (which runs the test) has pointed to a “concerning” drop in Year 3 numeracy. It has hailed “signs of […]
Australia’s childcare system is full of ‘churn’ – this isn’t good for quality or safety
Clicker Happy/ Pexels Reports of shocking abuse and neglect in our early childhood system mean many Australians are questioning whether they can trust childcare centres. In our new report, we look at some of the broader factors that can increase risks in the childcare system. We show how it is common for daycare centres to […]
‘I can be myself more’: what students told us about pride groups in schools
Syd White/Getty Images A sense of school belonging is important for all students so they feel respected, supported and included. However, this can be harder for some groups of students. Unfortunately, many LGBTQIA+ students still face discrimination and marginalisation in Australian high schools. Pride groups – school-based groups for LGBTQIA+ students – are one way […]
Families say they are struggling to pay school fees – why are so many still choosing private schools?
mihailomilovanovic/Getty Images This month, multiple news outlets have reported families’ concerns about rising private school costs during the cost-of-living crisis. It’s likely this trend will increase, as private school tuition fees rise faster than inflation. Why are families putting themselves under this pressure? What does it suggest about the broader Australian school system? Parents are […]
Should I let my kids down that tube slide? How to weigh the benefits with the risk of injury
SL Liang/Getty Images As a parent you may not like the thought of your child swinging upside-down from the monkey bars or jumping off that big rock. But it’s important for children to have risky play. It encourages them to learn their limits and build confidence in themselves. However, sometimes the risks outweigh the benefits, […]
Australia’s childcare safety changes are turning one. Are they working?
Maskot/ Getty Images It has been a tumultuous and frightening time for Australian families and educators. For more than a year, there has been a litany of claims of abuse and poor standards across the early childhood sector. Friday marks 12 months since the federal government passed major legislation to try and improve safety in […]
Less than one third of students who enrolled in fee-free TAFE since 2023 have completed courses. Is this a problem?
xavierarnau/Getty Images Fee-free TAFE has been promoted as one of the Albanese government’s key education policies to train more nurses and builders. But new course completion figures released last week have sparked debate among industry leaders about whether the policy is working. New data suggests enrolments have slowed, and many students who started a fee-free […]
A lifelike robot called ‘Sally’ was going to teach in a US school. It’s not a weird as it sounds
Malte Mueller/ Getty Images A New York school district made global headlines this week for plans to trial a humanoid robot named “Sally” in high school classrooms. Sally has lifelike silicone skin, long brown hair, and the ability to move her arms, head, and face while seated. According to the manufacturer, she uses “natural conversation, […]
Thinking of posting pictures of your child online? Ask these 4 questions first
Sally Anscombe/ Getty Images Parents, schools and clubs regularly post images of children to social media platforms and websites. While this may support connection with family and friends, promote school or sports activities or celebrate children’s achievements, there can be unintended consequences. In its latest advice, the eSafety Commissioner notes how the rise of AI […]
Even the government agrees Job-ready Graduates has failed. Here’s what should replace it
By 2027, just under one third of Australian university students will be paying more than A$18,000 for a single year of full-time study. This makes a standard three-year arts degree at this rate more than $54,000, compared with a nursing degree, which will be less than $15,000. The discrepancy is a result of the Morrison […]