Results vs. Methods
To The Australian Wednesday, January 11, 2006
Primary schooling is potentially our greatest instrument of equal opportunity. But the prospects of thousands are squandered by state systems run by and for extreme ideological factions, controlling unions and self-entrenching bureacracy. The lack of accountability of this multi billion-dollar tax-funded industry is a national disgrace.
Parents care more about their children than the other players in the school industry. They need to know how their child is faring, and they need the right to change schools if dissatisfied. Only external assessment provides an honest bottom line. (Hopefully the school will also provide more a personalised report.)
Instead of supporting several state curriculum bureaucracies, Australians deserve a national primary syllabus drafted by the best brains from across the country - clear, sensible, avoiding fly-by-night educational fads, and easily accessible to any teacher, parent or interested citizen. The external assessment of this syllabus is then offered to every Australian primary school and the results are posted straight home to the parents.
Naturally, local educrats will fight to continue as big fish in small ponds. The quickest way around this is for the national government to go right ahead and provide the service. If it is done well, parent pressure will see progressively more schools embrace a national Primary Assessment System (PAS?).
What about diversity and innovation? Yes, we need it. I am not proposing that governments strictly control teaching methods. Some teachers have forged ahead by using better methods than the prevailing norm. But there is no excuse for any educator to fail children in literacy, numeracy or the basic facts of science and society. The proof of the pudding is in the eating. A national assessment will keep teachers on the straight and narrow.
Demographic disadvantage (such as a poor area) is no excuse for a school to refuse assessment. If there is a problem, let it be revealed so we know where extra help is needed.
Philip O'Carroll