Are we scoring own goals in education?

Dan Haesler

By Dan Haesler
Community contribution / November 28, 2017

Last month I was asked to present at the Australian Curriculum Studies Association’s (ACSA) Conference alongside Alan Reid, Professor Emeritus at the University of South Australia and Robert Randall, the CEO of the Australian Curriculum and Reporting Authority (ACARA).

It was a fairly unique way to present for me, in that it was a 90-minute presentation, with each of ...

This story appeared in the November 2017 edition of Australian Teacher Magazine.

Learning Support Officer - St Laurence's Catholic Primary School, Dubbo

Catholic Education Diocese of Bathurst Dubbo New South Wales

Be a vital part of our educational journey as a Learning Support Officer, helping students thrive and succeed

Teaching Aides & Special Needs / Dec 11, 2025

Temporary School Caretaker

Veritas Bradford

Teaching - Secondary / Dec 11, 2025

Temporary HR advisor - Experienced

Veritas Bradford

Teaching - Secondary / Dec 11, 2025

Opinion / What an emu on a ute taught me about equity in education

Why a simple sentence can reveal hidden gaps in classrooms, and how a grassroots teacher movement is using the science of learning to give every child a fair chance.

School news / Tas investigation update: jumping castle inquest ‘open to different findings’

The families of six children killed in a jumping castle tragedy have been told an inquest could make different findings to a probe that cleared the operator of criminal wrongdoing.

School news / Nervous wait ends as Vic school leavers receive ATARs

After years of hard work and study, tens of thousands of students will receive their ATAR scores, with 42 graduates attaining the perfect score.

School news / Immigrant teens with strong heritage and identity have better mental health and academic success

Immigrant adolescents who feel connected to family, school and community experience lower depression and anxiety, better grades, and stronger social ties a new study has found.

School news / Stagnating school attendance figures demand urgent action: new research

Australia is in the grip of a school attendance problem, with two in every five students now not attending regularly – and huge change is needed if we are to shift the dial across the country, experts have warned.

School news / ‘An outdated system’: as students anxiously await their score, has ATAR had its day?

Year 12 student Annie Zhou can't help but feel nervous as she waits for her final results to be released.

School news / Difficult period ahead as kids’ social media ban officially takes effect from today

Adjusting to life without social media will be challenging for millions of young Australians, the prime minister has warned, as world-first laws barring children from apps like Instagram, Snapchat and TikTok take effect.

School news / Great expectations: how one school achieved exceptional attendance

Mornings are always busy for Carol*. The school day starts with a flurry of texts, calls, and emails from parents explaining why their children aren’t in class.

School news / Giving plenty back: online teacher mentoring program draws international plaudits

Mentoring is a critical part of ensuring pre-service and early career teachers are prepared for the classroom and the school workplace, and international recognition of an Australian program seems to suggest we know how to do it pretty well.

Opinion / Unfounded criticism: why blame the media for publishing ACARA’s public data?

Last week’s 2025 school NAPLAN results on the My School website have triggered a storm. News Corp journalists were quick to publish league tables placing the elite schools on top.

Comments