Public submissions have opened to a landmark review into boosting student performance in Australian schools.
Minister for Education and Training Simon Birmingham said the public submission process for the Review to Achieve Educational Excellence in Australian Schools led by Mr David Gonski AC will be open until 13 October and urged parents, teachers, students and education experts to seize this unique opportunity to help shape the future of Australia’s education system.
“I encourage people from across the education system to share their ideas and experience of what measures we can take to boost student outcomes,” Minister Birmingham said.
“The Turnbull Government has locked in a new funding system that boosts per student assistance by an average of $2,300 so schools and teachers will have the support and resources they need to focus on the programs that are best suited to their students.
“But if money alone were a measure of success the Review to Achieve Educational Excellence in Australian Schools wouldn’t be necessary.
“While a strong level of funding is important, it is clear that to achieve the best educational performance we must look at how this funding is used in our schools, and not just how much is being spent.
“This Review is about determining the best evidence-based practices for our students that will help guide how our schools and educators focus the extra resources we’re delivering in classrooms.
“The input of educators, academics and people at the coal face of our school system combined with the leadership and expertise of Mr Gonski and his panel will be invaluable to guiding how our record levels of funding for students should be used most effectively.”
An Issues Paper is now available which frames the call for public submissions with key questions relating to the Terms of Reference for the Review.
The Issues Paper and information on how to lodge a submission are available from: www.education.gov.au/educationalexcellencereview.
The Review headed by Mr Gonski will report back to the Prime Minister and Minister Birmingham by March 2018.