New approaches to persistent problems in Australia’s schools

This report presents four propositions to accelerate transformation in Australia’s schools. Summary In November 2013, the Mitchell Institute hosted a policy forum titled New approaches to persistent problems attended by approximately 100 of Australia’s leading educators, researchers, policy makers and leaders. The discussion was chaired by Mark Burford, Executive Director of the Mitchell Institute and led by an expert panel comprising: Kathryn Greiner, member of the 2010 Commonwealth Government’s Schools Funding Review Panel; Professor John Hattie, Director of the Melbourne Education Research Institute at the University of Melbourne; Dr Lisa O’Brien, CEO of The Smith Family; and Dr Yong Zhao, Professor in the College of Education at the University of Oregon. The forum report, New approaches to persistent problems in Australia’s schools, outlines the key themes and discussions that emerged during the forum and presents four propositions to accelerate transformation in Australia’s schools.