Conference to focus on middle years of schooling

The current middle years of schooling reforms will come under the spotlight at The University of Queensland Ipswich Campus next month when the School of Education hosts the Middle Years Efficacy: Are our Practices Effective conference.

The Conference, to be held on Monday, July 4, is designed specifically for teachers in the middle years of schooling and managers responsible for the planning and implementation of middle years initiatives in schools.

Participants will be given an opportunity to discuss, evaluate and reflect on current practices with expert academics and colleagues.

Education (Middle Years of Schooling) Program Director Dr Donna Pendergast said many Queensland schools had already made a commitment to implementing middle school reforms.

“Middle years philosophy is evident in approaches to pedagogy, curriculum, assessment and classroom organisation while other schools have recently commenced their journey into these aspects of transformation,” Dr Pendergast said.

“The question of efficacy is now beginning to emerge as the key question for middle schooling.

“The Conference will question if the reforms lead to real improvements in learning outcomes for students, and to teaching effectiveness – or is it just a different approach?”

Participants will engage in discussion and hear from middle years of schooling experts who will discuss the current reforms and the future for schooling across years six to nine. Workshops will also be a feature of the one-day conference and will be led by current middle years of schooling practitioners.

The Conference will be held from 9am – 3pm in Building 12 at The University of Queensland Ipswich Campus, 11 Salisbury Road, Ipswich on July 4.

Further information is available by contacting Joy Reynolds in the School of Education on telephone 3381 1521, email joy.reynolds@uq.edu.au or visit
http://www.uq.edu.au/education/index.html?page=26196

Media Enquiries: Dr Donna Pendergast at the School of Education (0419 772 168)