School Disruption Report is a Missed Opportunity

Friday December 1 2024

 

The interim report from the senate inquiry on school disruption is a missed opportunity to address the underlying conditions causing the increasing complexity, inappropriate behaviours and disengagement our teachers and school leaders are managing.

 

Comments attributable to Andy Mison, president of ASPA:

 

“ASPA recognises some of the recommendations as sensible, such as fast-tracking the implementation of the National Unique Student Identifier and the recommendations of the Initial Teacher Education Review, particularly Priority Reform 3: Improving the Quality of Practical Experience in Teaching.

 

“We also strongly endorse the recommendation  that ‘state and territory governments explore more effective integration between education and healthcare services’.

 

“We agree that the most effective strategies to ensure safe and respectful learning environments are based on evidence, and more likely to succeed when implemented at school and system levels with coherence and consistency. However this seems a statement of the obvious, and is already well underway in many cases. ASPA has real concern about still more content added to the Australian Curriculum.

 

“Workload pressure associated with some of the more top-down recommendations, such as the addition of another survey, will inevitably lead to more strain on school leaders and teachers.

 

“It is deeply disappointing that no recommendation appears for fast-tracking the full funding of public schools in the NSRA, especially noting the evidence to the committee that the causes of these behavioural issues are ‘complex and influenced by a range of biological, social, environmental, and educational factors.’

 

“Any raised parent and community expectation is also omitted in the recommendations, despite  the committee noting collaboration between schools and families ‘can significantly reduce disruptive behaviours and foster a shared responsibility’.

 

"We expect more ambition for our children and young people, and ask for recommendations of urgent investment to fully fund all Australian Schools to 100% of the SRS at a minimum. Otherwise, yet again, educators will be left to do the heavy lifting.”