New initiatives in Aboriginal education

By Gary Zadkovich and Angelo Gavrielatos

Federation influence has led to improved funding and programming to assist Aboriginal students.

Building on the first-year implementation of the Schools in Partnership (SiP) program, the Department of Education and Training (DET) and the Aboriginal Education Consultative Group (AECG) have formally invited Federation to join a 'three ways together' partnership to strengthen this vital initiative in Aboriginal education.

This move responds to concerns raised by Federation members about the processes used to develop the program, identify schools for inclusion, and provide ongoing support.

In a similar manner to Federation's participation in the implementation phase of the Priority Action Schools Program, the union will have a direct role in assisting DET and AECG personnel to provide guidance and support for schools.

SiP is funded from the $53 million allocated over four years for the NSW Government's Indigenous Education Plan. Ten schools are included on SiP for 2006-09. On September 4, the Minister announced a further 20 schools for inclusion for 2007-09.

Without the Federation's involvement, DET and the AECG had identified the schools to be considered for inclusion through consultation across the regions. As is usual with equity programs in this era of declining proportionate investment in public education, there are more schools deserving of inclusion than funding permits.

The above process resulted in a list of nearly 40 schools that had to be pruned to 20 because of funding constraints. Selection criteria included school size, percentage and number of Aboriginal students, student performance data (Basic Skills Test, Secondary Numeracy Assessment Program, English Language and Literacy Assessment, School Certificate, HSC), student attendance and retention, pre-existing interagency initiatives, school and community capacity to work collaboratively, and nomination by the Regional Director and Regional AECG President. It should be noted that schools on the Priority Action Schools Program cannot be included on SiP and vice versa.

Concerns about this process led Federation to recommend a variation to the way the program is configured. It was apparent that the short-listed schools could be delineated by having either a significant percentage of Aboriginal students or by having a significant number of students within a much larger non-Aboriginal enrolment.

Given SiP is based on the sound equity program principle of 'whole school change' to achieve improved student outcomes, we recommended that schools with a significant percentage of Aboriginal students become SiP schools, and that an additional tier of funding support be made available for those schools that have a significant number of Aboriginal students within a much larger cohort of non-Aboriginal students. This proposal resulted in the announcement of eight schools on the Targeted Aboriginal Students Strategy (TASS).

SiP schools will receive between $100,000 and $400,000 per annum, while TASS schools will receive up to $100,000 per annum.

Furthermore, at the Federation's instigation, a limited number of schools serving Aboriginal communities that are not included in either SiP or TASS, and that are identified as having specific needs, will receive additional support from DET.

The implementation of these initiatives provides the opportunity to achieve improvements in Aboriginal students' educational outcomes, to narrow the achievement gap between Aboriginal and non Aboriginal students.

As usual, our members are rising to the challenge. Instead of being expected by a government to do 'more with less', teachers appreciate being asked to do 'something different with more'. School plans involve a variety of strategies, including the employment of additional Aboriginal education workers, aides and tutors, additional teachers to release executives and provide specialist support, activities to encourage greater parent and community participation in school life, pre-school programs, homework centres, and professional development for quality teaching and learning.

Positive reports are emerging from the first 10 SiP schools. Personalised Learning Plans developed through a teacher-student-parent consultation process are helping to create greater parental support for learning. Staff are completing a TAFE course in Aboriginal Cultural Education. SiP Advisory Committees ensure that partnerships are strengthened and that inclusive decision making occurs. Schools are working on developing greater school capacity to make positive changes, enhancing quality teaching and learning, and encouraging more Aboriginal community members to actively participate in school life.

The current 10 SiP schools are Ashmont PS, Bomaderry PS, Dubbo West PS, Hillvue PS, La Perouse PS, Lightning Ridge CS, Menindee CS, Peel HS, Tingha PS and Woodenbong CS.

The new 20 SiP schools are Albury West PS, Alexandria Park CS, Bermagui PS, Biraban PS, Buninyong PS, Coomealla HS, Drummond Memorial PS, Fennell Bay PS, Gilgandra PS, Glebe PS, Glenroi Heights PS, Goodooga CS, Griffith PS, Gunnedah HS, Hume PS, Muswellbrook South PS, Narrandera PS, Tabulam PS, Toomelah PS, and Wee Waa PS.

The TASS schools are Cambridge Park PS, Cranebrook HS, Crawford PS, Gorokan HS, Rosemeadow PS, St Marys North PS, Willyama HS, and Windsor HS.

Gary Zadkovich is a Country Organiser, currently working part time in SiP as the Federation's representative. Angelo Gavrielatos is the Deputy President.

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September 2006 contents