Scathing Gonski report says schools have failed a generation of students
A GENERATION of Australian students has been let down by an education system that hasn’t kept up with times, a landmark review has found.
The scathing report, to be released today, blames Australia’s dramatic 15-year slide in world ranking for reading, science and maths on out- dated teaching methods and calls for a major rethink of the way students are taught.
The report, authored by businessman David Gonski, recommends priority be given to move from a year-based curriculum to teaching children on their abilities, regardless of their age or year level.
Students would be given a unique ID number so teachers can plot their individual prog- ress through a new online tool and then identify the specific skills they need to learn next.
Traditional A-F report cards would be discarded in favour of feedback that focused on the extent to which students improved in a school year.
The report found many Australian schools are simply “cruising” and teachers have not done enough to stretch high-achieving students.
It also calls for a greater emphasis on early childhood learning and more assistance for parents to help their children develop before they start school.
The report, which has 23 recommendations, highlights: A DECLINE in mathematics results across all demographics and school sectors between 2003 and 2015; A SIGNIFICANT achievement gap between Australia and the highest-performing countries in both reading and maths; CHILDREN who do not attend preschool are more likely to be developmentally vulnerable, in advantaged and disadvantaged communities; and, STUDENTS from disadvantaged backgrounds benefit most if they continue to re- ceive support through childhood and adolescence.
Prime Minister Malcolm Turnbull, who commissioned the review pumping an extra $19 billion into schools over the next decade, said a quality education was the “bedrock for success throughout life”.
“We can and must do more. We now have the blueprint to do it,” Mr Turnbull said.