State schools guarantee great results

The Queensland Government’s drive to boost literacy and numeracy in state schools is now well underway with every state school in Queensland implementing a targeted education plan.

Minister for Education, Training and Employment John-Paul Langbroek said funding had been delivered and the plans submitted by state schools to implement the Great Results Guarantee were now available for parents to view on state school websites.

“In the space of a school term, this government has delivered a targeted plan to lift student outcomes in all Queensland state schools,” Mr Langbroek said.

“Queensland is the only jurisdiction in Australia to deliver this funding directly to schools. Not one cent is being chewed up by administrative costs or bureaucracy.

“Everything the Newman Government does in education is directed towards achieving better student outcomes and the Great Results Guarantee is a prime example of how we are working to reach this goal.”

Mr Langbroek said the Great Results Guarantee initiative, announced in January, allocated $131 million this year to Queensland’s more than 1230 state schools to build student literacy and numeracy skills, with a focus on the early years of education.      

“There is a high degree of accountability built into the program as every school principal had to sign off on how they would use the new funding to maximise student literacy and numeracy outcomes,” he said.

“Schools have tailored their Great Results Guarantee plans to individually address local literacy and numeracy requirements, with input from the local community, teachers and students.

“They are using the additional funding in diverse ways such as providing one-on-one support or small group support for students, developing individual plans for students, hiring teachers to mentor other teachers and providing staff training in literacy strategies.”

Mr Langbroek said the Great Results Guarantee would provide a safety net to capture students who are falling below the National Minimum Standard for literacy and numeracy and also prevent our high performing students from sliding backwards.

“These agreements for school communities to invest in student learning are a crucial move towards building improved literacy and numeracy rates among young Queenslanders,” he said.

“Improving the literacy and numeracy of state school students is central to the Newman Government’s commitment of achieving better student outcomes and increased pathways to employment.

“This is an investment in Queensland’s future.”

The Great Results Guarantee is funded through the Abbott Government’s Students First – A fairer funding agreement for schools which is providing$794 million for Queensland over the next four years.

[ENDS] 4 April 2014

Media contact: Danita Goodwin 0439 886 652