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The international data on student literacy released yesterday proves all Australian schools must be resourced properly and based on student need, says the teachers union.
The latest Progress in International Reading Literacy Study (PIRLS) revealed that about one fifth of Year 4 students’ reading was below the national proficient standard.
In a statement yesterday, the Australian Education Union (AEU) said the data also shows students from well-resourced schools are achieving stronger outcomes than their counterparts at under-resourced schools.
“The results show the clear link between resourcing schools properly and boosting overall literacy achievement,” AEU federal president, Correna Haythorpe, said.
“The numbers speak for themselves. The correlation between funding schools adequately and student results is obvious. Average reading scores in under-resourced Australian schools are 22 points lower.”
Haythorpe said the thirty-five percent of Australian students at schools affected by resource shortages score significantly lower than those at affluent schools.
“Australia’s stronger performance correlates with the rollout of needs-based funding from 2014-2016. The first three years of Gonski needs-based funding was starting to close gaps in student achievement,” she said.
“In the first three years that education funding was allocated based on student need, between 2014 and 2016, we can track improvements. Needs-based funding addresses educational inequality.”
Haythorpe accused the Federal Government of “turning its back” on schools with a $17bn funding cut which she said has gravely disadvantaged public education.
“Public schools educate the vast majority of students from low socio-economic backgrounds,” Haythorpe said.
“We educate 82% of students from low-SES families. Under Malcolm Turnbull’s education plan students in under-resourced schools will be denied the support they need to reach their potential.”
However, Federal Education Minister, Simon Birmingham, said improving student outcomes was more than just school funding, pointing out that families, societies and education systems play an important role.
“We’ve maintained a clear and steady focus on all of the factors that lift student outcomes,” he said, adding that the government has also been strengthening the accreditation standards of teacher training courses to improve the quality of teaching in Australia’s classrooms.
“This will ensure graduate teachers have literacy and numeracy skills amongst the top 30% of the adult population and to implement new standards to recognise our most highly accomplished and lead teachers.”
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