League tables go against world view

The Coalition's proposed introduction of performance tables goes against the findings of international studies and of the Inquiry into the Provision of Public Education in NSW, Inquiry chair Professor Tony Vinson told Federation's February Council.

"The performance tables proposal is so ill advised that the laudable course would be to withdraw it," Professor Vinson said.

"There are other positive ways of lifting the performance of disadvantaged groups, such as improving the application of Aboriginal education policy, and the education of children 'in care', outlined in the Inquiry report but as yet to be commented upon by the contenders for office," he said.

Delivering a report card on politicians, Professor Vinson said so formidable was the educational challenge that gains considered modest in some quarters would be major achievements within disadvantaged schools.

"That is why the Coalition's proposed introduction of performance tables to enable parents to assess the performance of government schools is completely at odds with the insights and findings of the Inquiry."

"All that would be achieved from implementing the proposal would be the demoralisation of some disadvantaged school communities that stand greatly in need of support and encouragement of the kind implicit in the Coalition's smaller class size policy," Professor Vinson said.

Carr sends Watkins to stall for time

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Last Modified: 15 Nov 2005