Page 3824 - Week 10 - Wednesday, 19 September 2018
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performing. A review that will set milestones to achieve better academic outcomes. I commend my motion to the Assembly.
MS BERRY (Ginninderra—Deputy Chief Minister, Minister for Education and Early Childhood Development, Minister for Housing and Suburban Development, Minister for the Prevention of Domestic and Family Violence, Minister for Sport and Recreation and Minister for Women) (4.45): I do not accept that there is a need for an independent inquiry as called for in Ms Lee’s motion, and I note that there has been a large volume of independent and expert consideration of the issues as well as a current Assembly inquiry into standardised testing in ACT schools.
I move:
Omit all text after “That this Assembly”, substitute:
“(1) notes that:
(a) teachers in Canberra schools work hard to support all students to reach their fullest potential and should be acknowledged for their dedication;
(b) in 2016, the ACT Education Directorate commissioned a study by Professor Stephen Lamb (the ‘Lamb Report’) to analyse the academic performance of ACT government schools;
(c) in 2017, the Australia Institute produced a report into the performance of the ACT education system and called for a public inquiry;
(d) in 2017, the ACT Auditor-General published a report (the ‘Auditor-General’s Report’) on performance information in ACT government schools;
(e) in August 2018 two researchers from the Australian National University (ANU) published a working paper on academic underperformance in ACT schools (the ‘ANU paper’); and
(f) the Standing Committee on Education, Employment and Youth Affairs is currently undertaking an inquiry into Standardised Testing in ACT Schools; and
(2) further notes:
(a) the Government has proactively inquired into the relative performance of ACT schools with statistically similar schools across Australia, including leading to the Lamb Report;
(b) the Government has responded to the Auditor-General’s Report and is implementing its recommendations, and has appropriately considered the Lamb Report, ANU paper and report of the Australia Institute; and
(c) the Minister for Education and Early Childhood Development has initiated and is leading a national review of NAPLAN reporting through the Education Council;
(d) the Government undertook an 18 month deep, iterative community consultation process leading to the Future of Education Strategy, supported by robust research evidence;
(e) the Future of Education Strategy provides a roadmap for continued focus and investment;
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