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New laws modernise education QUEENSLAND'S Parliament has formally approved the introduction of the new Prep Year in 2007 and an increase in the State's school starting age in 2008.Education Minister, Rod Welford, said the reforms in the Education (General Provisions) Act 2006 position Queensland schools to meet the expectations of students and their families in the 21st century. "The legislation provides the legal basis for the introduction of the new Prep Year and the increase in the school starting age," Mr Welford said. "It creates a legal requirement for both state and non-state schools to provide reports on students' academic work and offer interviews to parents twice a year. "The Act also enables state schools to develop voluntary enrolment agreements with parents and students which include expectations under the new Code of Behaviour." Measures contained in the Education (General Provisions) Act 2006 include: For both state and non-state schools * the introduction of a non-compulsory full-time preparatory year from 2007; * an increase in the compulsory school starting age by six months from 2008; * the new 'learning and earning' laws; * exemptions from compulsory schooling to enable students to participate in apprenticeships and traineeships, or attend significant family occasions; * increased penalties for parents who fail to ensure their children attend school from a maximum of $350 to $450 for a first offence and $750 to $900 for subsequent offences. * a registration system for children who are educated at home; * a reporting framework to ensure parents receive critical information on both student and schools outcomes. For State schools only * an admission framework including 'enrolment agreements' that are non-binding and set out the respective rights and obligations of the school, parents and students; * increased transparency about the grounds on which a student may be refused enrolment, ensuring that all persons know their rights; * the capacity for schools to charge for specialised programs (e.g., International Baccalaureate) that will be approved by the Department. |
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