Standing Committee on Employment, Education
and Workplace Relations
Helping Boys by Lifting their Literacy
Boys can often be blamed for disruptive behaviour and having a bad
attitude. Some have low self-esteem, have difficulties communicating
with others and display problems at school. Some boys are experiencing
learning difficulties and the literacy gap between boys and girls is
increasing. So, what is the problem facing boys and what can be done
to help?
This Thursday, 7 December, the House of Representatives Education
Committee will hear from Professor Peter Hill, Director of the Centre
for Applied Educational Research at Melbourne University.
Professor Hill is one of Australia's leading educational researchers
into early literacy, school effectiveness and teacher effectiveness.
His Early Literacy Research Project which is currently being trialed
in a number of primary schools will be introduced into all Victorian
Government schools next year. Professor Hill will talk to the House
Education Committee about the effectiveness of this model and other
possible projects that can assist the education of boys.
- Public Event: House of Representatives Education Committee Professor
Peter Hill, Director of the Centre for Applied Educational Research,
Melbourne University
- Where: Committee Room 1R3, Parliament House
- When: Thursday 7 December, 9am - 9.45am
The House Education Committee is currently undertaking an inquiry
into the education of boys focussing on the social, cultural and educational
factors affecting boys. Dr Brendan Nelson, Committee Chair, said the
challenges surrounding the education of boys need to be brought out
into the open and discussed as frankly as possible.
"The Committee, through this inquiry, wants to understand the problems
and look at what may be done in early to middle schooling that can help
and benefit boys," Dr Nelson said. "Professor Hill has worked on a number
of early literacy research projects and other programs with the goal
of improving the effectiveness of schools. The Committee is interested
to discuss the causes and consequences of the gender gap in early literacy
with Professor Hill and to explore ways to improve early literacy teaching."
For more details on the inquiry, visit: www.aph.gov.au/house/committee/eewr
For media comment contact Dr Brendan Nelson MP, Chair of the
House Education Committee, on 0418 123 438 or 02 6277 4433.
For background information contact the Committee Secretariat on (02)
6277 4573.
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