Senior maths and science assessment report handed down

A report that will help shape the future of Queensland’s senior assessment and Overall Position (OP) tertiary entrance process was tabled in Parliament today.

Minister for Education, Training and Employment John-Paul Langbroek said the Parliamentary inquiry into senior maths and science assessment was held over seven months and received almost 300 submissions.

He said the Parliamentary Education and Innovation Committee prepared the report and made recommendations, which would be reviewed within the next three months.

“This report is a critical element in ensuring Queensland has a contemporary senior assessment and tertiary entrance process,” Mr Langbroek said.

“The Newman Government is determined to see Queensland lead the country when it comes to education practices, which is why we commissioned this inquiry upon coming into office.”

Mr Langbroek said the report was commissioned in response to concerns from academics, teachers and parents about assessment for senior maths, chemistry and physics.

“While some people view the current assessment approach as world-class, others see it as time-consuming, open to misuse and confusing for students, parents and teachers,” he said.

“That’s why the Newman Government established the inquiry, to address these concerns and ensure the Queensland education system continues to be of the highest standards.”

Mr Langbroek said the Committee reviewed the balance between long assignments and shorter tasks and the relative merits of standards-based and other assessment methods.

“It was pleasing to see that the inquiry received 288 submissions, with a varied range of viewpoints and I look forward to reviewing the report and its recommendations,” he said.

The inquiry, which began in March, invited input from the Queensland Studies Authority, academics, union representatives, senior teachers, the Department for Education, Training and Employment, Independent Schools Queensland and the Queensland Catholic Education Commission.

This was followed by a call for written submissions along with an online survey and social media invitations to encourage student input and a series of public meetings in Brisbane and on the Sunshine Coast.

In August the reporting date for the inquiry was extended to this week to allow the committee to consider the large number of submissions and to seek advice from a range of experts.

The findings of the maths and science assessment report will be considered as part of the major independent review currently underway into Queensland’s senior assessment and Overall Position (OP) tertiary entrance processes. The Australian Council for Educational Research (ACER) will deliver this report by 31 July 2014.

“Both reports will be carefully considered before any changes are made to the senior assessment process,” Mr Langbroek said.

Information, transcripts and documents relating to briefings and forum discussions are available on http://www.parliament.qld.gov.au/work-of-committees/committees/EIC/inquiries/current-inquiries/QldAssessment

[ENDS] 14 October 2013

Media contact: Danita Goodwin 0439 886 652