The findings in this progress report will inform and shape the New Zealand Ministry of Education's work programme and future investments.

Around 10 per cent of students across Australia need additional support in literacy and numeracy to meet higher NAPLAN expectations, according to the data released by the Australian Curriculum, Assessment and Reporting Authority (ACARA) in the new-look 2023 NAPLAN national results.

A key recommendation from this inquiry is for the Australian Government to work with state and territory education authorities, and the non-government school sector, to develop and promote resources about 'school refusal', once a nationally agreed definition has been established, for parents, teachers and school leaders.

The aim of this paper is to consider the views and attitudes towards education in Australia, how these attitudes vary across the population, and how they have changed over time.

This fourth Things That Matter report draws on responses from school children aged 8–12 years who participate in the South Australia’s Commissioner for Children and Young People's annual Student Voice Postcards initiative via their school.