International and national research shows that music education uniquely contributes to the emotional, physical, social and cognitive growth of all students. Music in schools contributes to both instrumental and aesthetic learning outcomes; transmission of cultural heritage and values; and, students’ creativity, identity and capacity for self-expression and satisfaction. While there are examples of excellent music...

This new report based on data from the Longitudinal Surveys of Australian Youth questions whether completing Year 12 benefits all young people. Alfred Michael Dockery argues that alternative pathways and institutional arrangements need to be available to meet the varying needs, abilities and preferences of all young people, as well as the information they require...

Drawing on evidence from four schools Claire Ridgewell, Neil Sipe and Nick Buchanan find that far fewer children are cycling or walking to school than in previous generations, and that more and more are being driven to school by car. Schools in different locations have different travel patterns, however, with two schools in suburban areas...

Deborah Tranter examines the influence of school culture on the higher education aspirations of secondary students in one of the most socioeconomically and educationally disadvantaged regions in Australia: the outer northern suburbs of Adelaide. Using a case study approach, it investigates the attitudes towards higher education of students from three schools in this area, with...

Adrian Beavis, David Curtis and Niola Curtis investigated the educational and occupational plans of junior secondary students, surveying 3271 financially disadvantaged students in years 8 and 9 who are part of the Smith Family's Learning for Life Program. They found that more than a third of the surveyed students do not fully understand the education...