LEAGUE TABLES DON’T HELP STUDENTS

“The IEUA welcomes the Federal Government’s decision to not require the ranking of students and schools according to test scores and the inevitable establishment of ‘league tables’ ” said Independent Education Union of Australia Federal Secretary Chris Watt.

“The central purpose of student assessment in schools is to gather, analyse and reflect on evidence in order to make informed and consistent judgments aimed at bringing about improvement in student learning” he said.

“The decision appropriately ensures the use of national testing data for the purpose of informing teaching and learning in the classroom and individual reporting to parents” said Chris Watt.

“Both international and national research shows that ‘league table’ approaches lead to a lowering of the quality of education and the overall level of student achievement” said Chris Watt.

“IEUA believes that parents should have access to timely, meaningful information about their children’s progress and are entitled to comprehensive and accessible reports.”

“However, the primary purpose of reporting must remain as providing meaningful information so as to improve student learning”

“The Opposition Education spokesperson’s obsession with ‘league tables’ is ideologically driven and not about the best interests of education or our children” said Mr Watt

Contact:

Chris Watt

Federal Secretary Independent Education Union

Ph        (03) 9254 1830                    0419 259 143