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High Standards in ACT School Education
Message from the Minister
Getting involved in the consultation
References
Related Websites
Contact Details
Message from the Minister
The quality of school education in the ACT is of the highest importance for our territory’s future. In February 2008, I launched a discussion paper on High standards in ACT school education to promote community debate on ways in which we could maintain and enhance excellence in all our schools.
The paper proposed the establishment of an ACT School Standards Authority, built on the foundation of the ACT Board of Senior Secondary Studies. The paper proposed an independent body that would provide a cost-effective approach to quality assurance across both the public and non-government school sectors.
I would like to thank all the school education stakeholder organisations, school boards and community members who responded to the discussion paper. Most responses supported the concept of an ACT School Standards Authority. Responses also supported further community consultation on the functions of such an authority.
The paper that follows, together with a wider consultation process, will encourage debate on the functions of an ACT School Standards Authority and allow for the development of a preferred operational model.
This discussion is timely. It builds on the cross-sectoral collaboration that has led to the implementation of our new ACT Curriculum Framework (P-10), Every Chance to Learn. It is an opportunity to discuss ACT standards in school education at a time when there are important national initiatives going forward.
Children and young people deserve the best teaching and a curriculum that supports lifelong learning and citizenship. All students deserve to feel safe at school and supported in their learning at every stage of their school life. Strong partnerships between schools and their communities are also needed to support students’ progress.
I look forward to further discussion on how standards in ACT school education should be maintained and improved. Input from educators and the wider community will assist the Government in its decisions on an ACT School Standards Authority.
Andrew Barr MLA
Minister for Education and Training
Getting involved in the consultation:
Consultation Paper 
(481kb)
Public meetings: If members are interested in participating in public meetings on this issue, please contact us to express your interest and provide your contact details.
References
Education Act 2004, ACT Government
http://www.legislation.act.gov.au/a/2004-17/default.asp
Every Chance to Learn: curriculum framework for ACT schools preschool to year 10, ACT Government 2007
http://www.det.act.gov.au/publications_and_policies/publications_a-z
School Review and Development Program, Archdiocese of Canberra and Goulburn, Catholic Education Office
http://www.ceo.catholic.edu.au/divisions/hr/school_review/index.htm
Teacher Registration Project, 2007
http://www.det.act.gov.au/employment/teacher_registration_project
The Board of Senior Secondary Studies Act 1997, ACT Government
http://www.legislation.act.gov.au/a/1997-87/default.asp
Using Data to Support Learning. Conference Papers, Australian Council for Educational Research 2005
Related Websites
Ministerial Council on Education, Employment, Training and Youth Affairs (MCEETYA)
A National Framework for Professional Standards for Teaching
http://www.mceetya.edu.au/verve/_resources/national_framework_file.pdf
National Assessment Program
http://www.curriculum.edu.au/mceetya/national_assessment_program_(nap),16358.html
Performance Monitoring and Reporting Taskforce
http://www.mceetya.edu.au/mceetya/pmrt,11415.html
New South Wales
Board of Studies NSW
http://www.boardofstudies.nsw.edu.au/
New South Wales Institute of Teachers
http://www.nswteachers.nsw.edu.au/
Northern Territory
The Northern Territory Board of Studies
http://www.deet.nt.gov.au/education/ntbos/about.shtml
Teacher Registration Board of the Northern Territory
http://www.trb.nt.gov.au/
Registration of non-government schools
http://www.deet.nt.gov.au/education/ngs/index.shtml
Queensland
Queensland Studies Authority
http://www.qsa.qld.edu.au/index.html
Queensland College of Teachers
http://www.qct.edu.au/index.aspx
Non-State Schools Accreditation Board
http://www.nssab.qld.edu.au/
South Australia
Senior Secondary Assessment Board of South Australia
http://www.ssabsa.sa.edu.au/
South Australian Curriculum, Standards and Accountability Framework
http://www.sacsa.sa.edu.au/splash.asp
Non-Government Schools Registration Board
http://www.ngss.sa.edu.au/pages/default/7784/
Teachers Registration Board of South Australia
http://www.trb.sa.edu.au/
Tasmania
Tasmanian Qualifications Authority
http://www.tqa.tas.gov.au/
Schools Registration Board
http://www.srb.tas.gov.au/
Teachers Registration Board
http://www.trb.tas.gov.au/
Tasmanian Home Education Advisory Council
http://www.theac.org.au/
Victoria
Victorian Curriculum and Assessment Authority
http://www.vcaa.vic.edu.au/
Victorian Registration and Qualifications Authority
http://www.vrqa.vic.gov.au/
Victorian Institute of Teaching
http://www.vit.vic.edu.au/content.asp?Document_ID=1
Western Australia
Curriculum Council
http://www.curriculum.wa.edu.au/
Western Australian College of Teaching
http://www.wacot.wa.edu.au/
Department of Education Services (registration of non-government schools)
http://www.des.wa.gov.au/
New Zealand
New Zealand Curriculum Framework
http://www.minedu.govt.nz/index.cfm?layout=document&documentid=3561&CFID=5726137&CFTOKEN=28835053
New Zealand Teachers Council
http://www.teacherscouncil.govt.nz/
Education Review Office
http://www.ero.govt.nz/ero/publishing.nsf/Content/Home+Page
Note: website addresses were accurate as at April 2008.
Contact Details
email: schoolstandards@act.gov.au
phone: (02) 6205 0352
fax: (02) 6205 9418
