Clearly the German and Finnish Abitur aren't sufficiently well-known for Ms Gillard to have been able to spell the word correctly

The National Curriculum initiative is based on good intentions, certainly some of the state syllabuses leave much to be desired. The system of consultation of the NSW Syllabuses through the Board of Studies tends to keep the politicians at arms length (a very good thing) and allows extensive consultation with those actually involved.

This shows what is possible. The Federal government would do well to learn from this model. The academics, the teachers and the clients (parents and students, but also other stakeholders) should be the drivers.

Unfortunately, at election times, we get the soundbites and little else. Three years between elections for the Feds seems too soon, but the four years between elections for the NSW governments (Lib or Lab) seems far too long. Sigh!

Yes, if only a politician with wisdom and knowledge of cutting-edge educational practice and policy would emerge and then come up with some radical policies to actually have an Education Revolution in this country. Leadership on education is sorely lacking and so badly needed.

It is refreshing to hear some sensible comment but I differ on one point. iit is dangerous to criticises Gillard because not enough progress has been made. The pace of development of important reforms such as national curriculum, teacher standards and even myschool is a significant part of the problems Jenny has identified. I would suggest that it is also part of the reason why genuine consultation and involvement of the profession has been bypassed