School review system to drive better outcomes for Queensland students

All Queensland state schools will undergo a tailored school review every four years as part of new school performance and improvement measures being introduced by the Queensland Government.

Education Minister John-Paul Langbroek said the measures were part of the government’s strong plan to achieve better student outcomes and would help schools deliver quality teaching and learning to Queensland students.

“The Queensland Government is committed to ensuring our children have a bright future by providing them with the best possible education experience,” Mr Langbroek said.

“We’re already supporting better teaching and learning through our Great Results Guarantee, Independent Public Schools, Great Teachers = Great Results, and the move of Year 7 to high school in 2015.

“However some national and international comparisons show more work is needed to lift school performance and improve student learning outcomes in Queensland schools.

“The government’s new School Performance Assessment Framework is the next step in our school improvement agenda and builds on the good work that is happening in schools every day.”

Mr Langbroek said the framework would help drive a new era of improvement and accountability in Queensland state schools.

He said one of the key features was the establishment of a dedicated School Improvement Unit.

The unit would carry out an annual performance assessment of all Queensland state schools, including Independent Public Schools.”

Mr Langbroek said the annual performance assessment would be based on data already used by schools.

“Together with consideration of a school’s broader context, the performance assessment will determine and prioritise schools for review,” he said.

“Schools identified as high performing will be given greater autonomy to undertake their own review processes within guidelines set by the School Improvement Unit.

“Schools that are performing well but with potential for improvement will undergo a full school review, which will identify areas for future improvement and focus.

“Schools identified as needing further support will undergo a priority review.

“Priority reviews will be led by the School Improvement Unit and will diagnose performance issues and recommend improvement strategies for the school to undertake with the support of the region.

 “Reviews will be tailored in accordance with the context and performance of the school, with all schools to undertake a review at least once every four years.”

Mr Langbroek said the School Improvement Unit would also collect and share successful school practices, and carry out additional reviews in response to critical or emergent school performance issues.

He said the performance indicators, used for the annual school performance assessment, had been developed in consultation with principals and regions, and provided a fair and consistent snapshot of a school’s performance.

“The indicators do not include any new data beyond what schools already report on, like NAPLAN and school discipline, and they offer a consistent approach to performance conversations across schools.”

Mr Langbroek said the Teaching and Learning Audits would provide the framework for the reviews.

“The reviews will also take into account school community feedback and local contextual factors, such as challenges schools may be facing.

‘Schools will publish their review reports to their communities.”

Mr Langbroek said the School Improvement Unit would start trialling the different types of school reviews later in Semester 2 ahead of full implementation next year.

[ENDS] 23 July 2014                                               

 Media contact: Danita Goodwin 0439 886 652