Gonski Funding Model A brief summary of the proposed new funding model for Australian Schools

CATHOLIC EDUCATION OFFICE MELBOURNE Gonski Report by Numbers 22 Months 4 Research Papers – 654 Pages 7000 submissions Report = 286 Pages 41 Recommendations 26 Findings 31 Tables 58 Figures

CATHOLIC EDUCATION OFFICE MELBOURNE Recommendations from the panel Education needs a $5 billion injection from the government to deliver additional funding to all school sectors A new model should incorporate a schooling resource standard, representing the efficient cost of education, to determine per student amounts for all schools Non-government school funding should be based on each school's capacity to raise income from parents, determined by a measure similar to the existing SES (with further refinement) Within the model, there should loadings for student need

CATHOLIC EDUCATION OFFICE MELBOURNE Proposed conceptual model Source: Review of Funding for Schooling – Final Report 2011, Australian Government

CATHOLIC EDUCATION OFFICE MELBOURNE Outline of the schooling resource standard Source: Review of Funding for Schooling – Final Report 2011, Australian Government

CATHOLIC EDUCATION OFFICE MELBOURNE Per student amounts Source: Review of Funding for Schooling – Final Report 2011, Australian Government Identifies an amount of funding for every student, based on the actual cost of educating a child in an efficient, high-performing school. For 2009, estimated schooling resource standard for primary-level students is $8,000, while secondary is $10,500. Indexation in line with the cost of education in efficient, high-performing schools. Identifies an amount of funding for every student, based on the actual cost of educating a child in an efficient, high-performing school. For 2009, estimated schooling resource standard for primary-level students is $8,000, while secondary is $10,500. Indexation in line with the cost of education in efficient, high-performing schools.

CATHOLIC EDUCATION OFFICE MELBOURNE What are Reference Schools? The benchmark for reference schools was determined as those schools where at least 80 per cent of students achieve above the national minimum standard, for their year level, in both reading and numeracy, across each of the three most recent years of NAPLAN results. The Gonski model currently proposes the use of NAPLAN data for Years 3 and 5 for primary schools and Year 9 data for secondary schools, to determine reference schools, from which per student amounts will be calculated.

CATHOLIC EDUCATION OFFICE MELBOURNE The Implications of capacity to pay What is the requirement for Catholic schools to meet the base rate of funding indicated in the report? »No commentary has been supplied – will parents expect Catholic schools to operate at the standard? »Huge implications for parents if private income has to be used to reach the base. »To make up base funding: Catholic Primary School fees PER STUDENT would range from $800 to $6000 Catholic Secondary School fees PER STUDENT would range from $1000 to $7500

CATHOLIC EDUCATION OFFICE MELBOURNE Capacity to pay

CATHOLIC EDUCATION OFFICE MELBOURNE Does this look familiar? Source: Review of Funding for Schooling – How are Non-Government (private) Schools funded? 2010, Australian Government

CATHOLIC EDUCATION OFFICE MELBOURNE Loadings for students with disabilities and special needs Source: Review of Funding for Schooling – Final Report 2011, Australian Government Includes: school size and location; the proportion Indigenous, low-SES and limited English language proficiency. All but the highest SES schools (130+) should receive full funding for loadings for eligible students. Students with disabilities would also be included. Includes: school size and location; the proportion Indigenous, low-SES and limited English language proficiency. All but the highest SES schools (130+) should receive full funding for loadings for eligible students. Students with disabilities would also be included.

CATHOLIC EDUCATION OFFICE MELBOURNE How loadings would apply in schools: Source: Review of Funding for Schooling – Final Report 2011, Australian Government from (lower end of range) to (upper end of range) School size and location 10% for medium-sized schools in remote locations 100% for very small schools in very remote locations Low socioeconomic status 10% for each low SES student in schools with under 10% of students in the lowest SES quarter 50% for each low SES student in schools with more than 75% of students in the lowest SES quarter Indigeneity 40% for each Indigenous student in schools with between 5% and 25% of students who are Indigenous 100% for each Indigenous student in schools with more than 75% of students who are Indigenous Limited English language proficiency 15% for each student with limited English proficiency 25% for each student with limited English proficiency (for example, recently arrived refugees)

CATHOLIC EDUCATION OFFICE MELBOURNE Capital Funding School Planning Authorities should be established, empowered to manage planning and development of new schools and major expansions. Responsible for the management of a School Growth Funding and a School Infrastructure Development Grants program The Authorities should include representatives from the government and non-government sectors on a state-by-state basis.

CATHOLIC EDUCATION OFFICE MELBOURNE How did the Australian Government respond? Nominates parents and children as the most important stakeholders in education, acknowledging financial pressures and the burden that increased fees would represent. Highlights current financial constraints and the commitment to a surplus in 2012–13 (incompatible with $5 billion per annum for education). The scope of the new funding arrangements proposed by the Gonski review appear too large. Any model adopted and the transition arrangements will ensure that no school loses a dollar per student as a result of the review Indexation will be part of any future funding model.

CATHOLIC EDUCATION OFFICE MELBOURNE What the Australian Government didn’t say: Indexation – no guarantee of “real” indexation. Funding Maintenance – despite reassurance that no school will lose a dollar per student, it is not obvious from the report how this might be achieved. Will fees be required to rise? –For example based on $8,000 per student the fee expected at a Catholic Primary school will now range from $800 to $6,000.

CATHOLIC EDUCATION OFFICE MELBOURNE What Catholic schools have asked for: Additional funding for Catholic schools to close the gap between Catholic schools and government schools. Government funding that keeps pace with the cost of educating a child in a government school. Fair funding for students with disabilities and special needs so that all students, regardless of the school they attend, receive funding to meet their needs.

CATHOLIC EDUCATION OFFICE MELBOURNE What’s happening in Catholic Education? Analysing report carefully Undertaking further detailed modelling –Analysing constraints on redistribution –Attempting to examine policy areas for adoption if $5 billion not available Participating in the process – talking to government We will ask parents and schools to act when required »Talking to parents »Contacting local MPs »Engaging local community and media