Review to Inform a Better and Fairer Education System

SVA’s submission to this Review outlines the role of evidence mobilisation and collaborative networking in creating a better education system, plus responses to Consultation Paper questions.

This document provides input to the Review to Inform a Better an Fairer Education System, led by the Department of Educations’ Expert Panel who were to advise Education Ministers on the key targets and specific reforms that should be tied to funding in the next Education Funding and Reform Agreement.

• The submission recognises the landmark establishment of the Australian Education Research Organisation (AERO), but calls for more to be done in terms of mobilising the evidence that support educators to be empowered and supported.
• Responses to the 38 questions put forward by the Taskforce are included leading to 12 evidence-based recommendations.
• Four initiatives that are encouraged to be considered in the next National School Reform Agreement (NSRA) are explored:
  1. A school innovation fund (with supporting infrastructure) to support schools to engage with high quality evidence generation of promising programs and initiatives with potential to scale
  2. Stronger collaborative networks to support educators to share evidence and build capability
  3. Better stewardship of the evidence ecosystem by government
  4. Creation of an ‘evidence guardian’ to improve the quality of investment by schools.