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Review to inform a better and fairer education system

In December 2022, Education Ministers agreed to establish an expert panel to inform the next National School Reform Agreement (NSRA). The Review to Inform a Better and Fairer Education System will advise Education Ministers on what reform priorities should be included in the next agreement between the Commonwealth, States and Territories.  The Review is an opportunity to drive real and measurable improvements for all students, particularly those most at risk of falling behind.

It is also an opportunity to ensure children and young people are placed at the centre of the education process, because their success matters to us all.

The Smith Family’s CEO, Doug Taylor is a member of the NSRA Ministerial Reference Group, which will be a sounding board and source of advice to Education Ministers and Expert Panel.

Primary classroom teacher at the front of the room kids hands up

What is The Smith Family recommending to review?

Based on our experience working with children experiencing disadvantage and their families, and our long-term research we're recommending: 

  • Putting children and young people at the centre and enabling educational systems to more effectively work with the wider service systems which impact children. This is essential given young people experiencing disadvantage often live in families who struggle to access essential services including health, community services, income support, NDIS and housing and this directly impacts students’ ability to achieve educationally.

  • Supporting parental engagement in their child’s learning.

  • Systemic support for fit for purpose school-community engagement given it improves the relevance of learning and supports student learning growth.

  • High quality and appropriately sequenced careers support. 

  • Improving school attendance, including through trialling and evaluating innovations, given a diversity of responses are required.

  • Strengthening literacy, numeracy and digital skills across all levels of schooling, with a particular focus on students experiencing disadvantage.

We want to see the NSRA mechanism evolved to support better outcomes for students. This includes incorporating: 

  •  An independent assessor (e.g., the Productivity Commission, AERO, ACARA, etc.) authorised by the Education Council to review on an annual basis whether progress is being made by States/Territories on agreed educational outcome targets. The role of the assessor should include contributing to the identification of learnings from across jurisdictions and recommendations for ongoing continuous improvement.
  • A data and evidence agenda which enables much better and more regular tracking of progress on student outcomes, prioritising those experiencing disadvantage. This should include publicly available longitudinal data. Opportunities to share data and learnings, across jurisdictions, systems and sectors should be promoted and rewarded.
  • Incentives for targets being achieved for low SES schools.
  • Public accountability mechanisms that require systems and schools to demonstrate additional funds allocated on the base of need are being spent on students with additional needs, including within the context of ‘whole-of-school’ initiatives.
     
President of the Australian Secondary Principals’ Association, Andy Mison, discusses what is needed to properly resource our schools to lift student outcomes and reduce educational inequality
President of the Australian Secondary Principals’ Association, Andy Mison, discusses what is needed to properly resource our schools to lift student outcomes and reduce educational inequality.
Schools for the future
Doug Taylor and Travers McLeod screenshots
As the Expert Panel finalises its report to Education Ministers on the National School Reform Agreement review, Brotherhood of St Laurence Executive Director, Travers McLeod, discusses what needs to happen to support student experiencing disadvantage to make the most of their education.
Addressing educational inequity
Anne and Doug sitting together
CEO of The Smith Family Doug Taylor sits down with the charity's head of research and advocacy, Anne Hampshire, to discuss the importance of the National School Reform Agreement. The Smith Family is calling for a range of policy changes under the new agreement to ensure schooling in Australia is better and fairer, especially for students experiencing disadvantage.
Conversations with Anne Hampshire
Portrait-of-christine
The review to Inform a Better and Fairer Education System is underway. High School Principal and Smith Family Board member, Christine Cawsey, talks to the challenges faced by students from disadvantaged backgrounds that must be addressed by the next National School Reform Agreement.
Building a better education system

Submissions

Submission to the Review to Inform a Better and Fairer Education System - August 2023

Submission on the Interim report of the Productivity Commission’s Review of the National School Reform Agreement - Oct 2022

Opinion Pieces

A chance to fix the inequity chasm in Australian schools - Australian Financial Review

Our best chance yet to fix Australia's schools - The Canberra Times

Fixing education policy for generational change - The Educator Australia

Are we on the precipice of fixing inequality in our school system once and for all? - ABC Radio National