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New national testing STATE and Territory Governments will participate in national testing for literacy and numeracy in 2008, as required by the Australian Government under the current schools funding agreement."Under that funding agreement, the Australian Government has provided an additional $1.8 billion over 2005-2008 to State Government and non-government schools to specifically lift standards in literacy and numeracy, and I am concerned that this money has not been used to lift standards in reading and mathematics," Minister for Education, Science and Training, Julie Bishop said. "The Australian Government will support students who fail to meet minimum standards in the national tests through the newly established National Tuition programme, with additional funding of almost $500 million announced in this year's Federal Government Budget. "This initiative will provide a $700 tutorial voucher per child to parents whose children do not achieve literacy or numeracy benchmarks in Years 3, 5, 7 and 9. "The Australian Government will also provide an additional $53 million in funding to reward schools that have been successful in raising literacy and numeracy standards. Eligible schools will be invited to apply directly to the Australian Government for rewards of up to $50,000 each. "Funding of $102 million over four years has also been provided to Australian Government Summer Schools for Teachers. The new professional development programme will provide additional training to teachers in Literacy and Numeracy, English, Mathematics, Science and Australian History. "The Australian Government is committed to raising standards in literacy and numeracy and has already committed the additional funds to support the outcomes of the national tests. "I look forward to the implementation of the first national literacy and numeracy assessments in years 3, 5, 7 and 9 in 2008, which will more quickly provide comparative information about standards throughout Australia." |
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