7th Dec 2023, 3:48 PM – Senate Committees - Education and Employment References Committee; Reference - Declining academic standards at schools

The majority voted against a motion introduced by Tasmanian Senator Wendy Askew (Liberal), which means it failed.

Motion text

That the following matter be referred to the Education and Employment References Committee for inquiry and report by 2 July 2024:

The issue of stagnant and declining academic standards in Australian schools, with specific reference to:

(a) students' proficiency in literacy and numeracy, as tested through the National Assessment Program—Literacy and Numeracy test and other authoritative tests, such as the Program for International Student Assessment;

(b) how countries with high or markedly improving academic standards are achieving these results, the extent to which the experience of these countries can inform Australian schools, and how funding for students in Australia and other countries correlates with student performance and academic standards;

(c) evidence-based teaching practices and pedagogy (proven teaching methods), the extent to which proven teaching methods have been adopted in Australian schools, and how this has impacted on academic standards, particularly foundational skills in literacy and numeracy;

(d) the training, resources, funding and assistance available to teachers, including continuing professional development, to support the delivery of proven teaching methods;

(e) the effectiveness of current diagnostic tests and screening for skills in literacy and numeracy, including phonics and foundational maths, including the screening of students at school-entry;

(f) how relevant Australian state, territory and federal departments and agencies are working to address this growing challenge;

(g) the experience of principals, teachers and parents in meeting the challenge of raising academic standards in Australian schools particularly for socio-economically disadvantaged students and students in regional, rural and remote Australia;

(h) improvements that could be made to the Australian Curriculum to raise academic standards in Australian schools;

(i) the economic cost of stagnant and declining academic standards in Australian schools; and

(j) any other related matters.