Commonwealth Numbered Acts Commonwealth Numbered Acts(1) The objects of this Act are the following:
(a) to ensure that the Australian schooling system provides a high quality and highly equitable education for all students by having regard to the following national targets:
(i) for Australia to be placed, by 2025, in the top 5 highest performing countries based on the performance of school students in reading, mathematics and science;
(ii) for the Australian schooling system to be considered a high quality and highly equitable schooling system by international standards by 2025;
(iii) lift the Year 12 (or equivalent) or Certificate II attainment rate to 90% by 2015;
(iv) lift the Year 12 (or equivalent) or Certificate III attainment rate to 90% by 2020;
(v) at least halve the gap between Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander students, and other students, in Year 12 or equivalent attainment rates by 2020 from the baseline in 2006;
(vi) halve the gap between Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander students, and other students, in reading, writing and numeracy by 2018 from the baseline in 2008;
(b) to acknowledge the matters referred to in the Preamble;
(c) to provide a needs-based funding model for schools applied consistently across all schools which includes:
(i) a base amount of funding for every student; and
(ii) additional loadings for students and schools who need extra support;
(d) to implement the National Plan for School Improvement.
(2) The Commonwealth will work with the governments of the States and Territories, and non-government education authorities, to implement the National Plan for School Improvement set out in the National Education Reform Agreement to meet the objects of this Act by addressing the reform directions set out in subsections (3) to (8).
Note: The governments of the States and Territories, and non-government education authorities, that agree to implement the National Plan for School Improvement set out in the National Education Reform Agreement will be provided with financial assistance in accordance with Part 3.
Quality teaching
(3) All teachers will have the skills, and support they require, to improve their performance over time and to deliver teaching of a high quality to all of their school students. The work of teachers will:
(a) reflect rigorous professional standards and best practice; and
(b) be based on evidence of successful teaching methods.
Quality learning
(4) Australian schooling will provide a high quality educational experience with an environment and curriculum that supports all school students to reach their full potential.
Empowered school leadership
(5) Leaders in schools will have the resources, the skills, and greater power, to make decisions and implement strategies at the local level to obtain the best outcomes for their schools and school students.
Transparency and accountability
(6) Support will be provided to schools to find ways to improve continuously by:
(a) analysing and applying data on the educational outcomes of school students (including outcomes relating to the academic performance, attendance, behaviour and wellbeing of school students); and
(b) making schools more accountable to the community in relation to their performance and the performance of their school students.
(7) Data collected on schools and school students will:
(a) be of a higher quality; and
(b) contain more detail; and
(c) be more consistent; and
(d) be more available to the public;
than data currently collected on schools and school students.
Meeting student need
(8) Australian schooling will place the highest priority on:
(a) identifying and addressing the needs of school students, including barriers to learning and wellbeing; and
(b) providing additional support to school students who require it.
Note: These reform directions are given effect to by this Act and relevant arrangements.