THE Australian Educational Research Association held its annual conference between November 29 and December 2. All abstracts are currently on-line, and full papers will follow in the spring. A call to http:www.swin.edu.auaare99papindex.htm reveals a long list of familiar themes with fresh approaches. UK interest in provision for gifted children, for example, is matched by similar concerns in Australia. However, Martin Bibby from the University of South Wales promises a paper with a different slant. His abstract claims that gifted students who do not achieve better results than other students have not been let down by school. New money being aimed their way would be better spent elsewhere, he suggests. Differences between boys’ and girls’ attainment levels are also receiving attention. In her study of mathematics classrooms Mary Barnes of the University of Melbourne reports that both “dominant” and “subordinate” boys find ways to succeed.

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