Teacher quality the key to improving NAPLAN

The national testing results summary released today again shows a plateau in student outcomes and reinforces that while funding is important for schools, the focus needs to include improving teacher quality, a robust curriculum and principal autonomy.

When comparing 2011 and 2012 performance outcomes, of the 20 tests across the year levels there has been no significant change in 11 of the tests and a decline in 5 tests.

“Over the past decade school funding has increased by 44 per cent, but student outcomes have not increased with it,” said the Shadow Minister for Education, Christopher Pyne.

“Today’s results suggest that despite the Gillard Government’s boast five years ago of an ‘Education Revolution’ and additional spending on school halls and computers, it has had little impact on student outcomes.

“How can we believe the Prime Minister’s ‘Education Crusade’ will be any more successful?

“It is time to focus on what really matters in the classroom. That is the quality and skill of the teacher, the robustness of the material being taught and the power of the school principal to act in the best interests of students and their school.

“The Coalition’s plan for education includes a relentless focus on improving teacher quality, developing a more robust curriculum and dramatically increasing principal autonomy which will give students the best possible opportunity to excel at school,” Mr Pyne said.

September 14, 2012