As part of the Commonwealth's drive to enhance Australia's competitiveness in the global economy, Australia is five years from implementing "National Benchmarks" to leverage measurable literacy outcomes from schools. This "back to basics" agenda is in tension with another drive to foster advanced thinking skills in children. Teachers are being…

Considers the educational views espoused by the Centre for Policy Studies of Great Britain as revealed in recent publications. Examines the strategies used by this group to block meaningful dialog. Argues for a more comprehensive concept of English instruction, and outlines such an agenda. (HB)

Reviews the value of topic work with regard to the British National Curriculum guidelines on curriculum planning. After years of concentrating on issues of content in planning, consideration of basic aims and values in education is again urged. Topic work allows teachers to teach in depth areas of personal expertise and interest in a local…