EDUCATION POLICY AUSTRALIAN CURRICULUM, MY SCHOOLS & NAPLAN Talitha, Jess, Minal, Kelly & Masumi EDN333: 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

 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 Education Agricultural Education Behaviour and Wellbeing Census Curriculum Finance, Schools Resourcing and Audit Human Resources International Students Other Post School Intentions Survey Reporting to External Agencies School Accountability Student Testing VET Teaching and Learning Western 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  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.”  “Naplan and other high-stakes testing is necessary for every child’s education”