The Scientific Literacy of Australian Students

Book excerpt: Science education occupies an important place in the curriculum of Australian schools. This book provides a comprehensive overview of the science education received by students at the upper primary (10- year-old) and lower secondary (14-year-old) levels. The early chapters set out differences across the Australian states, and for male and female students, in terms of: the home background and ethnic background of the students; students' attitudes to school, to the science studied at school, and to the role of science in the wider society; the science curriculum; characteristics of science lessons; students' achievement in science. In later chapters, the authors examine reasons for difference in science achievement between students and between states. Finally, there is a comparison of the science achievement of Australian students with that of students in other countries. It also indicates the relative decline in science achievement in Australia since an earlier study in 1970.