Professional ban on government-imposed reports
By Maree O’Halloran
Federation has placed a professional ban on the Federal and NSW governments' new student report requirements.
The ban is the next step in Federation's campaign and represents an extension of Federation's professional advice and direction this year in relation to student reports. Full details of the professional ban can be found at
www.nswtf.org.au/media/.
Federation has consistently maintained that the Federal and NSW governments' reporting requirements are educationally unsound. The further round of changes unilaterally announced by the NSW Government and contained in the Director-General's memorandum of September 26, 2006 does not remove those unsound requirements.
The changes of September 26 purport to provide schools with a "choice" between A to E grades and the words "Outstanding to Limited". In fact every report must still contain a statement that "Outstanding to Limited" equates to A to E. Hence, any choice is illusory.
The State Government/Department of Education and Training (DET) has also decided to re-impose the grading requirements for key learning areas other than mathematics and English in years 1 and 2 because of federal funding blackmail. This is an appalling decision particularly as the State Minister, Carmel Tebbutt, supposedly made her original decision based on educational advice from the Board of Studies.
Federal and state governments are attempting, through DET, to force teachers to implement educationally-unsound reports. As a matter of professional integrity, teachers cannot betray the trust of students, their parents and school communities.
Accordingly, Federation Executive has placed a professional ban on the new, government-imposed student report requirements, especially the use of standardised A to E grades anywhere on the report.
More than 1300 schools have voted that they "cannot and will not" implement the new reports this year.
Federation's ban is to help protect students from government-imposed, destructive and inaccurate labelling that has the potential to stigmatise many students and school communities.
Since the 1980s teachers have spent enormous amounts of time, energy and resources developing new, relevant and more effective teaching and learning strategies. This has included commensurate assessment and reporting practices that reflect the improvements. A recent example of this has been the development of the new Higher School Certificate -- an internationally recognised, world-class credential.
Teachers who have the professional qualifications and expertise must be involved in any changes to assessment and reporting practices.
Negotiations
Federation stands ready and willing to negotiate an educationally-acceptable outcome for 2007.
On September 25, 2006 in negotiations between the DET and Federation directed by the Industrial Relations Commission, Federation provided five alternatives to A to E grades. DET made no response to the Federation or the Commission on September 26. Instead, on that day, the State Minister made yet another unilateral announcement.
Federation's campaign has forced the Federal and NSW governments to change their positions a number of times. NSW teachers have so far achieved more changes than any other state and more change is not only possible, but necessary.
Federation is seeking to negotiate the following for 2007:
- the use of A to E terminology be at the school's discretion, with a range of other options made available
- Years 1-3 be removed from the mandatory requirements entirely
- no mandatory requirement for individual comments and ranking for creative and practical arts, personal development/health/physical education, human society and its environment, and science and technology in primary schools
- a consistent and agreed form of words inviting parents to the school to discuss their child's progress
- protocols about any potential link between student reports and annual reports (n.b. an amendment to the Education Act is currently being drafted by the State Government)
- additional training and development funding from DET.
Industrial Relations Commission
Federation has employed two barristers (including senior counsel) to appear in the Commission for Federation. The NSW Government/DET are currently attempting to use the Commission to force Federation to lift the ban. Federation cannot advise teachers to act against their professional integrity and standards.
Institute of Teachers
Federation notes that the Institute of Teachers was established by State Parliament to be a professional body for teachers. The Professional Standards issued by the Institute pursuant to its legislation state teachers have a professional responsibility and commitment to "demonstrate empathy and understanding in all communication including reporting student achievement to parents and caregivers" and to "ensure that all contact with the educational and wider community is professional and ethical" (NSW Institute of Teachers' Professional Teaching Standards).
The Director-General of Education and Training is the employer of teachers in NSW public schools. The Director-General is currently requiring teachers to act in a manner contrary to the Professional Standards established pursuant to the Act of Parliament. This situation reeks of hypocrisy and contempt for the professional standing of teachers and is an abhorrent lack of concern for the education and welfare of students.
Advertising
Congratulations and thank you to the nearly 8000 members who have signed the public statement opposing the government mandated, one size fits all, A to E student reporting requirements. The first advertisement of 1000 names appeared in the Sydney Morning Herald on the first day of term 4 and the next 1000 on October 26.
Maree O'Halloran is the President.
For further information
October 2006 contents
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