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PARENTS AND SCHOOLS - A CALL TO ACTION 

Australian primary and secondary schooling requires major change to empower parents and teachers, and to meet the diverse needs of students. The old ‘public versus private’ debate has served students, parents and teachers badly. It has focused attention on institutional arrangements on the supply-side rather than individualized arrangements on the demand side. A revolution in our schools is needed as a national priority.

The ownership structure of schools is less important for parents than their ability to access individualized, person-centred education for their children within values frameworks of their own choosing.

Ideology is less important for conscientious teachers than opportunities afforded for them to be the best teachers they can be with appropriate peer and public acknowledgement.

Trade union agendas in schools are less important for students than individualized learning agendas and continuity in personal and social support from trusted adults.

Students have been the big losers in the false war between equity and choice, especially those students with learning, behavioural and social difficulties and disabilities.

The Centre for Civil Society has developed this draft Call to Action as campaign tool for parents and teachers who want major reform in our schools. 

The draft will be discussed at a Forum on 21 March in Melbourne.


DRAFT PARENTS AND SCHOOLS - A CALL TO ACTION

This Call to Action is addressed to state and federal governments. As parents and teachers, we want a revolution in our schools as a national priority. 

This is our Call:

1.  

Consolidate all commonwealth and state school funding programs in a student-based funding entitlement allocated to parents. This Student-Based Funding Entitlement (SBFE) would be a fixed dollar entitlement for every student, allocated directly to parents, so that parents can take their child’s entitlement to a school of their choice.

2.

Supplement the Student-Based Funding Entitlement with an additional entitlement for educational and social disadvantage (SBFE Plus). This additional entitlement should be structured so that schools will compete to attract students with learning and developmental deficits and behavioural difficulties, with additional financial incentives for achievement of performance-based outcomes with these students.

3.

Require all schools (public and private) to meet benchmarks on inclusion of students with learning and social disadvantages in order to be eligible to receive publicly funded entitlements. Schools which meet these benchmarks may adopt their own fee schedules to supplement SBFE entitlements up to a maximum fee of $12,000. Schools which do not meet these benchmarks will not be eligible to receive public funds through SBFE entitlements.      

4.

Allow all schools greater flexibility in determining curriculum, their preferred educational and organizational philosophy, and their preferred reporting mechanisms to parents.        

5.

Allow schools in the public system to hire and fire staff as they see fit.

6.

Make it easier for parent entities to establish new schools with their preferred educational philosophies and leadership.

7.

Support the establishment of a Parent School Information Service to provide comparative online data on schools, school performance, school values and cultures. School co-operation with this Service will be made a requirement for receipt of publicly funded entitlements.

8.

Introduce a Lifelong Learning Account for all students at the age of 18 with an initial public allocation of $8,000 to be used for ongoing learning through university, TAFE, ACFE, workplace or arts-based programs, administered by a network of Account Holders as high-yield investment instruments. Students, families, employers and philanthropists may make supplementary deposits in this Account, but withdrawals may be made only for authorized educational expenditures.

Comments on the draft Call to Action are welcome and should be sent to Vern Hughes by email or on 0425 722 890. 

HOW TO BECOME INVOLVED

We will use the Call to Action in developing a major campaign in support of major reform in our schools in the lead up to the next federal and state elections. Fill in the online form below if you wish to be involved..

We will aim to get every MP around the country to push for implementation of the points in this Manifesto, and we will monitor their efforts in doing so (as well as their parties). 


Name  

Email  

Phone  (bh)     Phone (ah) 

  I would like to be involved in developing the campaign for change in our schools

I am a

My school is a

Tell us about yourself and your interests (optional)

  I would like to be placed on the campaign email list for further information.

 

Comments on the Call to Action and the campaign are welcome and should be sent to Vern Hughes by email or on 0425 722 890.
    
© Centre for Civil Society 2007

 
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