Research BackgroundIn the Balance is the report of an investigation into the state of Australian primary schooling, based mainly on evidence provided by staff from a random sample of 160 primary schools. Research Contribution In 2005, the Commonwealth Department of Education, Science and Training (DEST) funded the Australian Primary Principals Association (APPA) to initiate the investigation. APPA in turn commissioned a research team from Edith Cowan University and the Australian Council for Educational Research to undertake the study. Research Significance Generally, participating principals and teachers were grateful for the opportunity to ‘have their say’. In their view, too little account is taken in the arena of national and State policy making of the views of the professionals who actually do the work of primary education.