Yes, Australia’s PISA test results may be slipping, but new findings show most students didn’t try very hard

Stewart Riddle

By Stewart Riddle
Community contribution / November 19, 2021

Most Australian students who took part in the last OECD Programme for International Student Assessment (PISA) said they would have invested more effort if the test had counted towards their school marks.

This is a finding from a recent report issued by the Australian Council for Education Research. The data came from ...

Social Science Teacher - Temporary Part-Time

Oxford Falls Grammar School Oxford Falls

We have an opportunity for part-time Social Science teacher to join our Senior School team on an temporary 12 month basis commencing in Term 2 2026.

Teaching - Secondary / Feb 20, 2026

Head of the Senior Preparatory School, The Scots College NSW

Hutton Consulting Melbourne VIC

The Scots College seeks a courageous Christian leader to shape Years 5–6 boys through academic rigour, pastoral strength and visible faith leadership. Lead Years 5–6 ...

School Management / Feb 20, 2026

Veritas Preston

Teaching Aides & Special Needs / Feb 20, 2026

School news / The urgency and promise of lifting STEM ed in non-metro NSW: research

STEM education in regional NSW schools offers actionable policy opportunities that recognise and leverage the unique strengths of non-metropolitan NSW, new research has found.

School news / Half of nation’s teens projected to face anxiety or depression, ‘crucial we act on evidence’

A generation of young Australians is at risk of experiencing a mental health crisis, according to new modelling.

School news / ‘We don’t talk about that in this class’: History teachers at risk with new hate speech laws

NSW history teachers are fearful about what the state’s new hate speech laws will mean for their practice, with one expert warning critical knowledge and discussion about the Holocaust is at risk of being silenced in the classroom.

School news / ‘Literacy underlies all achievement’: popular author Andy Griffiths speaks out

A “ridiculous” emphasis on testing and grading is totally antithetical to the business of creativity and genuine learning, our Australian Children’s Laureate for 2026 and 2027 says.

School news / Eye-tracking study reveals how experienced teachers shut down disruption

Teachers’ eye movements in the classroom could determine the extent to which disruptive students interfere with the lesson underway, new research has indicated.

School news / ‘We don’t talk about that in this class’: History teachers at risk with new hate speech laws

NSW history teachers are fearful about what the state’s new hate speech laws will mean for their practice, with one expert warning critical knowledge and discussion about the Holocaust is at risk of being silenced in the classroom.

School news / Survey shock behind push for extra paid out-of-classroom prep time

Teachers are juggling more complexity in the classroom than ever but lesson preparation hours have not changed in decades, according to a new survey.

School news / Our tokenistic sustainability education is missing the mark: peak science associations

A new position paper prepared by three peak science teacher associations has lifted the lid on deep dissatisfaction across the sector regarding climate change education and the way it is taught in schools.

Opinion / How leaders cultivate teachers’ social-emotional confidence for wellbeing

Teaching is a highly rewarding profession, yet it is also recognised as inherently complex and often challenging.

School news / Union sets stop-work date for Vic public school staff seeking fair pay and conditions

The Australian Education Union’s Primary and Secondary Sector Council has set a date for 24-hour stop-work action in Term 1.

Comments