AUSTRALIA

Teachers told not to sign NAPLAN confidentiality agreement
The Sydney Morning Herald reported about how a teacher refused to sign a confidentiality agreement covering the question testing for NAPLAN online testing occurring this month.  Two teachers’ unions said they have received legal advice that the Australian Curriculum, Assessment and Reporting Authority (ACARA) cannot require teaching staff to sign the document and have concerns about the ramification for teachers who may have inadvertently breach the agreement.

School repairs desperately needed as roof and ceiling cracks up
The Herald Sun reported about how parts of a school in Melbourne’s northern suburbs had to be fenced off as a safety precaution as the ageing school falls apart.  Students and teachers have narrowly avoided being hit by materials falling from ceilings and roofs, sparking pleas from parents for the State Government to pay for urgent repairs.  The latest incident occurred when a classroom was evacuated when pieces of plaster started falling from the ceiling.  In March, a teacher was almost hit by a falling lump of tile when pieces of the school hall roof fell into a playground.

Teachers want time out from after-hours emails
Perth Now reported about how WA public school teachers are demanding the right to ignore emails from pushy parents who contact them outside school hours.  Growing pressure from parents wanting lengthy online discussions or expecting instant responses to emails sent late at night or at weekends has prompted the teachers’ union to push the Education Department to restrict online contact.

Principals reveal job stress, feelings of isolation in new paper
The Herald Sun wrote about a discussion paper which exposes principal job stress, complaining of feeling harassed, overwhelmed and isolated.  Research shows principals are faced with job demands 1.5 times greater than the general population as they are responsible for overseeing teaching, they were responsible for budgets, complying with occupational health and safety red tape, monitoring pupils’ home lives, and dealing with dissatisfied parents.

AMA suggests 'no jab, no pay' for schools
Sky News wrote about how the Australian Medical Association has suggested stripping funding from schools that do not actively promote vaccinating students amidst a potential measles outbreak in WA.  This was prompted after the WA Government issued a city-wide health alert last week when an unvaccinated high school student returned to Perth from Italy, where he contracted the disease.

Former Melbourne principal sentenced for 'bizarre' role in scheme to defraud Education Department
ABC News reported about how an ex-school principal has received a good behaviour bond after trying to defraud the Victorian Department of Education and Training.  He received a good behaviour bond after he agreed to give evidence against a former department official accused of pocketing taxpayer dollars.

INTERNATIONAL

USA: Boy, 7, with autism captured on video being dragged by two teachers
9 News reported about how a seven-year-old student with autism was filmed being dragged from a classroom by two teachers.  The mother of the child wants the two teachers charged for their actions. The footage became public this week when the case was closed after the local prosecutor decided not to press criminal charges.

USA: Texas teacher who hosted 'Bros Night' sex parties sentenced to 10 years in prison
The Toronto Sun reported about disgraced former high school teacher who hosted underage, all-male sex parties at his home facing 10 years imprisonment in a Texas prison.  The former high school teacher recently won the Teacher of the Year award, which was later revoked when school officials discovered he hosted underaged sex parties.