- Cook Labor Government strengthening pathways for
secondary school students
- Expert review of senior secondary school
pathways released for public consultation
- Proposed reforms to ensure students fulfil
potential in further education, training or work
- School Curriculum and Standards Authority (SCSA)
also refreshing Western Australian Certificate of Education (WACE) to meet the
needs of secondary students
Education Minister Dr Tony
Buti has today released a blueprint to strengthen secondary school pathways so
all students can fulfil their full potential - through their post-school study,
training or employment pursuits - and be ready for the Western Australia of the
future.
The Post-School Success Expert Panel Report: Consultation Draft reflects
the extensive research and stakeholder engagement undertaken across the State
by a panel of education experts, including principals and curriculum and assessment
policy specialists, with support from a larger Advisory Committee representing
key stakeholder groups.
The draft report will now be released for public consultation before a
final draft will be submitted to the Minister for consideration. Submissions
can be made by 16 August 2024 via the Pathways to Post-School Success Review website.
The comprehensive review aims to ensure all secondary pathways,
including Australian Tertiary Admission Rank (ATAR) and vocational education
and training (VET), are fit for purpose, meets the current needs of students and
are accessible to encourage all students to challenge themselves.
It highlights while there is currently a lot to celebrate about senior
secondary education in Western Australia, more needs to be done to ensure the system is providing accessible and
meaningful pathways for all school students.
Key recommendations of the review include actions to:
- enable as
many VET qualifications as possible to contribute to ATAR, in line with other
Australian jurisdictions;
- explore
expanding the information included in the Western Australian
Statement of Student Achievement (WASSA) to reflect a holistic picture of achievement;
- to make
WASSAs available to students who leave school prior to year 12;
- work with
the school system and sectors to strengthen delivery of career education and
pathway planning, particularly for students in regional, remote and lower
socio-economic areas;
- school
system and sectors to identify opportunities to strengthen inclusive practices;
- explore new
offerings for students with disability, similar to the Skills course
implemented in New South Wales;
- to develop
an additional level within the WACE to accommodate students with a recognised
disability, following a period of consultation with students with disability;
and
- keep the
literacy and numeracy standard as a requirement to achieve the WACE with an expansion
of methods demonstrating the literacy and numeracy standard.
The review was first announced last year and is
being led by the Department of Education in partnership with Catholic Education
Western Australia and the Association of Independent Schools of Western
Australia.
The review is being conducted alongside the proposed refreshment to the
WACE.
Comments attributed to
Education Minister Dr Tony Buti:
"This draft report makes it clear that more needs be done to ensure WA's
education system is providing accessible and meaningful pathways for all school
students.
"We are committed to strengthening secondary school pathways, and
helping to prepare students for the range of further study, training and work
options available to them.
"Senior secondary pathways have wide-ranging implications for a broad
range of stakeholders, so it is important that this consultation draft be open
for feedback from the public.
"To
enable feedback from this further consultation to be considered, the final
report will be provided to the State Government on 1 October 2024.
"I thank Professor Bill Louden, Chair, and the Expert Panel for this
important report."
