The Federal Government is calling for public submissions to an independent review into how socio-economic status (SES) scores are calculated and used to ensure funding for Australian schools is based on need.
Minister for Education Simon Birmingham said the public submission process for the National School Resourcing Board review of SES methodology would be open until 20 February and urged parents, principals, interested stakeholders and education experts to help inform the work of the independent experts.
“The review is the first to be undertaken by the newly established National School Resourcing Board, chaired by Mr Michael Chaney AO, and will look at the current arrangements for determining the capacity of non-government school communities to contribute to the operational costs of their school,” Mr Birmingham said.
“The Board is keen to hear from stakeholders about the strengths and limitations of the current SES measure and suggestions for possible alternative approaches.
Public submissions are an opportunity for everybody to contribute to the review, following consultation with state and territory education ministers, the National Catholic Education Commission, the Independent Schools Council of Australia and parents from non-government schools.
The review is an important part of the Government’s efforts to provide greater independent oversight over Commonwealth school funding and deliver increased transparency and accountability to the system, Mr Birmingham said.
“We’re building on our record investment in school education by delivering an extra $25.3 billion in funding over the next decade and we must ensure it is being distributed according to the needs of school communities,” he said.
A final report and recommendations are expected to be provided by the Board to the Government in June 2018.
