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\"How can widely acknowledged challenges facing regional secondary schools with high concentrations of low SES students, ineffectual curricula, and poor levels of student engagement, attendance, and wellbeing, be addressed? In this book we report on key outcomes of the Bendigo Education Plan that aimed to improve the academic attainment and wellbeing of 3000 regional secondary students. This Plan entailed rebuilding four Years 7-10 colleges, and developing a differentiated and personalised curriculum, with teachers team-teaching in open-plan settings. We analyse how and why teachers and students adapted to these new practices. We focus on both generic changes in the schools, around the use of ICTs and the organisation of the curriculum, and on specific approaches to teaching and learning in English, mathematics, science, social studies and studio arts. This book provides research-based guidelines on how the curriculum can be renewed and enacted effectively in these and like schools. In analysing a large-scale attempt to address the challenge of making learning personalised and meaningful for this cohort of students, our book addresses larger questions about quality secondary curriculum and successful teacher professional learning support.\"

Due to the increasing heterogeneity of students within learning groups at school, teachers are urged to appropriately address students' learning needs by means of differentiated instruction. Given that the successful and effective implementation of differentiated instruction relies mostly on teachers, research has extensively explored teacher-related variables, such as attitudes, that have a strong impact on their use of differentiated instruction. However, empirical research exploring teachers' attitudes, specifically towards the practice of DI, is still quite limited. In addition, up to now, there is only one available instrument that assesses teachers' attitudes towards DI, the Teachers' Attitudes towards Differentiated Instructional Scale (TAT-DIS). In this context, the purpose of the present study is to report on the instrument's adaptation and implementation within the mainland Chinese context. The sample consisted of 650 primary and 702 secondary school teachers from western and central areas of China. Results of the confirmatory factor analysis confirmed the original two-factor structure: the value of DI and perceived insufficient resources. Regarding the internal consistencies of the subscales, the reliabilities of both subscales were good. Additionally, differences across the sociodemographic variables such as gender and school educational level were found. Limitations are discussed and future lines of research are recommended.

The long-favored paradigm for the development of continental crust is one of progressive growth beginning at [approximately]4 billion years ago (Ga). To test this hypothesis, we measured initial ¹⁷⁶Hf/¹⁷⁷Hf values of 4.01- to 4.37-Ga detrital zircons from Jack Hills, Western Australia. [epsilon][subscript Hf] (deviations of ¹⁷⁶Hf/¹⁷⁷Hf from bulk Earth in parts per 10⁴) values show large positive and negative deviations from those of the bulk Earth. Negative values indicate the development of a Lu/Hf reservoir that is consistent with the formation of continental crust (Lu/Hf [approximately] 0.01), perhaps as early as 4.5 Ga. Positive [epsilon][subscript Hf] deviations require early and likely widespread depletion of the upper mantle. These results support the view that continental crust had formed by 4.4 to 4.5 Ga and was rapidly recycled into the mantle.

Purpose: Persuasive communication skills are vital for achieving success in school, at work, and in social relationships. To facilitate assessment of persuasive discourse, we developed a clinically feasible persuasive speaking protocol and used it to compile a database of language samples. This database allowed us to describe the properties of adolescents' persuasive speaking skills. Method: We collected spoken language samples from 179 typically developing students in Grades 8-12, recruited from the United States and Australia. Participants were asked to persuade an authority figure to make a change in a rule or policy. Results: Language performance data reflecting both microstructural and macrostructural properties of spoken language were summarized and broken down by grade. We completed a factor analysis that documented three latent variables (syntax, discourse difficulties, and content). To test the validity of the persuasive measures, a subset of the participants completed an additional battery of assessments, which revealed weak to moderate relationships between the persuasive measures, general language ability, and working memory. There was no significant relationship between the persuasive language measures and an assessment of personality. Conclusion: Our persuasive language sampling protocol facilitated the collection of valid language performance data. The summary data can be used as benchmarks for clinical evaluations of adolescents suspected of having language difficulties.

Personalised learning is now broadly endorsed as a key strategy to improve student curricular engagement and academic attainment, but there is also strong critique of this construct. We review claims made for this approach, as well as concerns about its conceptual coherence and effects on different learner cohorts. Drawing on literature around differentiation of the curriculum, self-regulated learning, and 'relational agency' we propose a framework for conceptualising and enacting this construct. We then report on an attempt to introduce personalised learning as one strategy, among several, to improve student academic performance and wellbeing in four low SES regional secondary schools in Australia. We report on a survey of 2407 students' perceptions of the extent to which their school provided a personalised learning environment, and a case study of a programme within one school that aimed to apply a personalised approach to the mathematics curriculum. We found that while there were ongoing challenges in this approach, there was also evidence of success in the mathematics case.

This paper identifies what can be called the 'paradox of interdisciplinarity' (Weingart 2000) in Australian higher education research governance and explores some of its constitutive dimensions. In the Australian context, the paradox of interdisciplinarity primarily concerns the proliferation of a programmatic discourse of interdisciplinarity in government reports and government policy and strategy documents, often tied to notions of innovation and applicability, parallel to the persistence or even reinforcement of modes of governance and associated mechanisms that almost exclusively rely on rigid discipline-based classification systems to evaluate and fund research. Two interrelated dimensions of this apparent paradox are discussed. First, the conceptions of knowledge that underpin the use of notions of disciplinarity as well as interdisciplinarity in Australian government reports and policy and strategy papers are analysed. Second, an analysis of the Australian research governance system and its underlying mechanisms is presented, as they pertain to interdisciplinary forms of research. On the basis of these analyses, it is concluded that there is a significant mismatch between the discourse of interdisciplinarity and associated conceptions of knowledge on the one hand, and current, relatively inflexible governmental research funding and evaluation practices on the other. It is finally proposed that the occurrence and perpetuation of such a mismatch in the Australian context can only be understood properly if placed in the context of a more general paradox of research governance, where a politically charged rhetoric of innovation conflicts with the actual trend toward an increasingly diminishing scope for the self-organisation of knowledge. (HRK / Abstract übernommen).

To review the research literature on cultural safety education within post-secondary health science programs. We conducted health and social science database searches from 1996-2016, using combined keywords: cultural competence or safety; teaching or curriculum; universities, polytechnics or professional programs; and Aboriginal or Indigenous. In dyads, authors selected, and reviewed studies independently followed by discussion and consensus to identify thematic linkages of major findings. A total of 1583 abstracts and 122 full-text articles were reviewed with 40 selected for final inclusion. Publications from Australia, Canada, New Zealand and the United States described curriculum development and delivery. A variety of evaluation approaches were used including anecdotal reports, focus groups, interviews, course evaluations, reflective journals, pre-post surveys, critical reflective papers, and exam questions. Duration and depth of curricular exposure ranged from one day to integration across a six-year program.  Changes in student knowledge, attitude, self-confidence, and behaviour when working with Indigenous populations were reported. Cultural safety education and application to practice were shown to be linked to improved relationships, healthier outcomes, and increased number of Indigenous people entering health education programs and graduates interested in working in diverse communities. This review provides a summary of multidisciplinary didactic and experiential instructional approaches to cultural safety education and the impact on students, educators and Indigenous people.  Institutional support, strategic planning and cultural safety curriculum policy within post-secondary settings and community engagement are imperative for positive student experiences, advocacy, and actions toward health equity and improved health for Indigenous people and communities.

This study aims to reveal the relevant demographic and educational determinants in predicting a transition from being a second level to a Registered Nurse. The transition from a second to a first-level regulated nurse represents a significant professional and educational milestone in the nursing career pathway. Research on determinants predicting which students will attempt this transition is scant. Retrospective cohort study using secondary data analysis. A large cohort of 2023 graduates of the Diploma of Nursing contained in the Australian Student Outcome Survey is analysed in this study with respect to their post-study outcomes. Weighted logistic regression is employed to estimate predictive margins for several covariates. Our study reveals several demographic and educational determinants that show substantial association with enrolment in bachelor-level nursing courses. In assessing the significance of predictors for enrollment in higher education, the following factors were identified in descending order of importance: reason for study, student age, institution type where the Diploma qualification was obtained, remoteness of study location, prior experience in the health sector, Indigeneity origin, English language status and gender. The present study demonstrates that the transition from a second-level to a first-level regulated nurse is not random and that several factors contribute to this transition. Academics and policymakers may find this information useful when framing policy that has an impact on the nursing workforce. •Second-level nurse grads from dual TAFE/Uni sectors are more likely to enrol in Bachelor of Nursing•Younger second-level nurse grads are more likely to enrol in Bachelor of Nursing•Second-level nurse grads with prior health work experience are less likely to enrol in Bachelor of Nursing programs

Purpose This study provides a country-specific and sector-wide study of campus sustainability. Campus sustainability is a key consideration for the higher education (HEI) sector, and campus sustainability officers and managers manage its reporting and planning. Global and country-specific studies to date have focussed on individual organisation narratives, interviews with faculty and management and content analysis of reports and plans. Findings show wide divergence on scope and scale of formalised planning and reporting, few references to sustainability officers and managers’ perspectives and limited reference to organisational theory to explain tactics and strategies adopted. As a result, there are a few country-specific and sector-wide studies. The purpose of this paper is to address the scarcity of country-specific and sector-wide studies into campus sustainability practices in HEI by combining qualitative and quantitative analysis. Design/methodology/approach The authors provide the first sector-wide overview of formal campus sustainability commitments for the Australian public sector HEI (n = 41) in terms of several key indicators – plans, reports and other indicators. Second, the authors use reflexive thematic analysis of interviews (n = 21) with current and former sustainability officers and managers to examine sector organisational reasons for such variation. Third, the authors analyse HEI sector isomorphism and divergence on planning and reporting of campus sustainability from the perspective of institutional theory of organisations. Findings This study finds some convergence on the need for plans, reporting and other engagement elements, albeit without any sector-wide standards being followed. The authors observe a trend towards carbon-neutral (CN) declarations before 2030 although with nuances on emissions scope and increasing inclusion of renewable energy. Interviews identify a range of strategies and tactics adopted for campus sustainability relative to internal and external organisational pressures. Overall, the sector still exhibits weak institutionalisation of sustainability. Research limitations/implications This study interviews a specific and limited cohort (n = 21) and presents an overview of sector reporting, planning and target setting although not a detailed content analysis. Other interview cohorts may have different views on the strategic and tactical purposes of reporting practices, and more in-depth analysis of formal plans and reports should be conducted in the future. Practical implications This study concludes that the Australian HEI sector should consider greater public transparency of its data and reporting actions. Common standards and a benchmarking platform for the sector would improve overall engagement with all internal and external stakeholders. At present, the HEI sector’s message to its key internal and external stakeholders is mixed and needs to change towards a more in-depth institutionalisation of sustainability on campus. Originality/value Particular insights are the value of organisational strategies and tactics as an interpretive framework for HEI campus sustainability and how interviewees attribute sector competitors and self-different motives and tactics. Albeit limited, this is the first mapping of sector approaches to sustainability reporting and planning.

This paper explores the impact of a Teaching and Learning Audit of all government schools in Queensland, Australia. This audit has a concern with the extent to which schools 'differentiate classroom learning'. We note that in England, since September 2012, one of the standards that teachers have been expected to demonstrate is an ability to 'differentiate appropriately', and thus the lessons of how this particular audit was implemented in Queensland have relevance outside of Australia. The paper draws on data collected from Red Point High School, one of the State's 1257 schools and education centres audited in 2010. We suggest that this requirement to differentiate classroom learning was implemented without appropriate clarity or support, and that it increased teacher surveillance in this school. However, we also argue that some spaces were opened up by this audit, and its concern with differentiation, to articulate a social justice agenda within the school. We conclude that differentiation is a complex concept which is not easy to shift from a policy to a classroom context, and requires more careful explication at policy level and more support for teachers to enact.