Work underway to implement Eltis recommendations

If implemented properly, the Eltis recommendations have the potential to address teacher workload, clarify expectations and restore the balance between teaching and assessment, writes JENNIFER LEETE.

Following the release of Time to Teach -- Time to Learn, the evaluation report by Professor Ken Eltis's about outcomes assessment and reporting in NSW government schools, Education Minister Dr Andrew Refshauge quickly announced that he would be implementing all the recommendations. The report is available on the Department of Education and Training website. Despite requests from the Federation that it be distributed in hard copy to all schools this has not yet occurred.

The Eltis recommendations have significant implications for syllabuses, assessment and reporting K-10. If implemented properly they have the potential to address teacher workload, bring real clarity in terms of the expectations on teachers and schools and also restore the balance between teaching and assessment which is needed to provide space for increased teacher creativity and deeper student learning.

Following discussions and correspondence with Federation, the Minister has reconvened the original reference group which worked with Professor Eltis during the evaluation. There has been some debate about whether this reference group will "advise on" or "oversee" the implementation of the Eltis recommendations.

The reference group met to consider the report for the first time on March 11. It includes representatives of the Office of the Board of Studies, the Department of Education and Training, Secondary Principals Council, Primary Principals Association, Public Schools Principals Forum, Federation of Parents and Citizens Associations and Federation. Federation's Primary representative on the Board of Studies Theresia Zadkovich and myself represent the Federation.

The first meeting worked on terms of reference and a set of general principles which will be the basis of the group's work. A number of the representatives present combined with the Federation to strengthen the terms of reference which are now close to finalisation.

There was considerable discussion about the timeframe for implementation and the need for it to provide for the participation of teachers in schools as part of the implementation process.

The most significant issue of concern is that the Office of the Board of Studies is proposing to complete the process for identifying mandatory syllabus outcomes by July. If the period of the school vacation is excluded the proposed timetable basically allows for only a six week 'window' for the distribution of the draft document to teachers. This would not provide for any meaningful participation by teachers.

Federation argued that the process for finalising mandatory outcomes could not be completed until December. The union will now raise these issues with the Minister and with the President of the Board of Studies.

Jennifer Leete is the Deputy President.

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