“We can empower the community to lift itself up.
In order to empower the community, you have to educate them.”– Lex Wotton
[ Editor’s Note: Lex goes before the parole board some time in the next couple of weeks, sometime between 2 — 14 May 2010]
Readers may recall that when Lex was sentenced Judge Shanahan set a fixed parole date for July 2010. The parole board will probably meet soon to determine if Lex is to be released on that fixed date in July. All efforts must be made to have the parole board release Lex.
Two Murri comrades have lost nephew’s recently.
Both died in custody.
Australia-wide there have been 7 deaths in custody between 14 Feb and 2 May 2010.
And they say Australia has a good human rights record.
More like a custodial killing field.
Australian teacher discusses school testing in England
[youtube=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9JFtwv5_b_o&feature=player_embedded]
The AEU supports accountability and transparency in education, but league tables based on raw test results are bad for our students, our schools and our communities.
Teachers, education support staff, principals, parents and school councils are united in opposing simplistic league tables. They are misleading, inaccurate, damaging, demoralising – and unnecessary.
Why we oppose league tables
AEU members who have worked in the UK and United States know the damages high-stakes testing and league tables can cause, by stigmatising schools and students, narrowing the curriculum, stifling creativity and forcing schools to teach to the test. These videos of AEU members who have taught in London and New York speak for themselves…more @ http://www.aeuvic.asn.au/campaigns/stop_league_tables/
Teachers facing $6600 fines over test
DAN HARRISON
May 5, 2010 source http://www.theage.com.au/national/teachers-facing-6600-fines-over-test-20100504-u7a0.html
INDIVIDUAL school teachers could be fined up to $6600 if they defy an order from the industrial umpire and refuse to administer national literacy and numeracy tests next week.
Fair Work Australia yesterday ruled in favour of the Victorian government, ordering the Australian Education Union and its members to cancel a threatened boycott of the tests, which children in years 3, 5, 7 and 9 are scheduled to sit from next Tuesday to Thursday.
The union was ordered to issue notices, including on its websites, by 4.30pm yesterday, cancelling the boycott and directing teachers not to disrupt the tests. But the union was defying the orders last night, exposing it to the risk of a financial penalty of up to $33,000 and fines of up to $6600 for each of its officials and members.
more>> http://www.theage.com.au/national/teachers-facing-6600-fines-over-test-20100504-u7a0.html