What I have learned from Australian schools

I have learned much from the literacy conference and visiting Australian schools.

• They have dedicated teachers who like their American counterparts are looking for relevant teaching strategies.
• They have less paper work than American teachers-only 4 reports and 2 of them are check lists.
• No numerical grades are given. Reports indicate what standard they have met and whether they met it proficient or advanced. Teachers write comments about students' work.
• Literacy teachers have more opportunities to make curriculum more creative and meaningful since there is no state adopted text.
• Students keep portfolios
• Greater variety of electives
• Writing and reading are more integrated into all of the curriculum
• Half way around the world teachers are still facing the same problems: motivation, relevancy, and test scores.
• Reading is a priority