EDUCATION POLICYAUSTRALIAN CURRICULUM, MY SCHOOLS & NAPLAN

Talitha, Jess, Minal, Kelly & MasumiEDN333: Schooling & Society

Australian Curriculum

Government vs. Independent National vs. state National-“Young Australians should

learn” State- sets out what students are

expected to acquire

Australian Curriculum

Australian Curriculum

Curriculum through the lens of the paradigms

Didactic Authentic Transformative

Australian Curriculum: Focus Question

1. Is it better for curriculum to be state based or national and why?

My Schools

My School is a website that allows you to search detailed profiles of any Australian school simply by entering a school’s name, suburb or postcode.

Find statistical information Targeted for parents NAPLAN results

Performance Pay

What is performance-related pay? bonuses for teachers who perform

their jobs effectively four major types of performance pay In 1860’s - England introduced “The Revised Code” - U.S. introduced "Boarding Round" pay system In 2006 – Australia started

introducing performance-based pay

Performance Pay

How was performance-related pay implemented in the past? - The Revised Code – England in 1860’s Teachers’ annual salaries paid according to their students’ performance Encouraging cheating by teachers / Narrowing of the curriculum Impoverished the process of education   - OECD findings from PISA No relationship between student performance and the use of performance-related pay schemes Countries with low teachers’ salaries (less than 15% above GDP per capita) Student performance is better with performance-related pay systems Australian teachers’ salaries: 27% above GDP per capita

Performance Pay

What about the current implementation? - Level 3 Classroom Teachers in WA - providing and supporting high quality teaching and leadership in schools Dianne Walton - Primary Teacher, Yealering Primary School “As a Level 3 Classroom Teacher in a small country school my role is varied. Sometimes it’s a matter of supporting other teachers and sharing my knowledge and experiences with them. This may involve helping them with curriculum and giving them ideas for activities with their class.”

“At other times I develop curriculum across the whole school, such as the literacy and numeracy whole school plan which I worked on recently.”

“The advantage of being a Level 3 Classroom Teacher is that I also have the opportunity to link our school with enterprising community projects. This is very satisfying as we have done several projects now that have helped our small community.” (Citation from Your guide to becoming a Level 3 Classroom Teacher 2014)

- The argument of The Australian Primary Principals’ Association Teachers’ cooperative efforts – as mentors and guides to help other teachers Improves students’ performance

Performance Pay: Focus Question

Question: Is performance-related pay beneficial for improving the quality of teaching in schools? What do you think?

Accountability

Accountability was a key component of Rudd’s ‘Education Revolution’.

Accurate and transparent information about a schools performance was needed.

Results on national standardised tests, background information and financial resources.

My schools website. With so much transparency, principals and

teachers are held accountable for their school’s performance.

Accountability

Incentives would be put in place. (eg. Performance pay).

New York System. Schools get a grade, A-E.

Why would Australia follow in the footsteps of a country below us in terms of educational rankings?

The Arguments for and against NAPLAN. Accountability or competition?

Accountability

The Department of Education's Policy on Accountability: Principals, in collaboration with school staff are required to: Undertake self-assessment that results in judgements about

the standards of student achievement and the effectiveness of school processes in maximising student achievement.

Undertake school planning processes that include the development of a School Plan, operational planning and classroom planning.

Publish annually a School Report that describes the school’s performance and report on legislative and designated policy and program requirements.

Participate in and actively respond to school review processes including Standards Reviews and, as required, reviews conducted by the Expert Review Group.

Accountability

Aboriginal EducationAgricultural EducationBehaviour and WellbeingCensusCurriculumFinance, SchoolsResourcing and AuditHuman Resources

International StudentsOtherPost School Intentions SurveyReporting to External AgenciesSchool AccountabilityStudent TestingVET Teaching and LearningWestern Australian Certificate of Education

Reporting requirements have been listed into the following categories:

Accountability: Focus Question

What would be the best way to hold schools accountable?

(Are the methods now good enough? Can they be improved/revolutionised?)

The Education Revolution

Policy set up by Rudd government 2008-09 The proposal came with the promise that

children have the "right to education so that they can live fulfilling and rewarding lives".

Used the policy to improve Australia's economic position through making the outcomes of schooling more equitable

Testing is necessary- competition Education Bill 2012 "For Australia to be

ranked as of 2025 one of the top 5 performing countries"

Education Revolution: Five Pillars NAPLAN – National standardized testing

to replace state testing, a model adopted from New York

My Schools – Website displaying Australian school stats & info

AITSL – Australian Institute for Teaching and School Leadership

Performance Pay – paying teachers according to NAPLAN results

Australian Curriculum – new national curriculum to replace state curriculum

Funding

The Digital Revolution- $1.2 billion dollars for a computer fund with all year 9-12 students having access to a computer.

Does a computer transform teaching?

Buildings (BEC)- Implemented in response to the global financial crisis, $14.7 billion dollars spent within 3 projects.

1. $12.4 billion dollars used in upgrading large infrastructures. 2. $1 billion spent on Science and Language centres within Secondary school

Performance Pay- incentive for teachers

Education Revolution: Focus Question

Do you think what the former

government promised is revolutionary?

Why/Why not?

Conclusion

Australian Curriculum My Schools Performance pay Accountability Education Revolution

Activity Questions

“The government should plan all educational documents.”

“The government should plan all educational documents.”

“Naplan and other high-stakes testing is necessary for every child’s education”