One of IRSEA’s objectives is to provide members with a forum for the informed discussion of educational issues. Family friends and ex-colleagues are often interested in our members’ expert ‘take’ on a particular issue. And some of us simply cannot let go of the issues that dominated our professional working lives over so many years.

Recent examples of such issues include (in no particular order):

• the School Success Model
• proposed staged return of students to schools with COVID still in the community
• the challenges and prospects of students doing the HSC this year
• revisions of the Australian Curriculum
• the new NSW syllabuses for English and Mathematics K-2 due out next year
• the composition of the Department of Education’s organisation chart
• teachers and parents and roles in online/home learning
• teachers’ professional development and accreditation
• the Student Behaviour Strategy.

The local, state and national media occasionally report on issues in education. This is especially so when the developments are controversial or not what the commentators remember about their own schooling.

Sometimes, there may be sufficient accurate information in news articles and current affairs presentations for IRSEA members to follow the thrusts of a ‘reform’ or challenge.

Sometimes, however. it will be useful to have a look at the official documentation and positions, and to discuss these educational matters with wise and experienced colleagues in order to form a more substantial opinion on an issue.

Clicking on the names or logos of the organisations listed on the Links page of this website will take you to the main pages of the key agencies that publish documents concerning these issues in public education.

I would welcome your comments on these or other educational issues.

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