A re-elected Labor Government would continue the reform agenda in curriculum with an Australian Baccalaureate, link bonus payments to school performance and provide incentive payments for teachers. The measures are outlined in School Reform, Making Every School a Great School, released by Prime Minister Julia Gillard.

Labor would continue to expand the MySchool website as a major accountability measure, saying itwill be an ‘increasingly powerful tool’.

Parents and teachers are being promised ‘online diagnostic tools’ to be able to assess student progress.

The linking of bonus payments for schools and teachers to student results, albeit on a ‘value added’ basis, will be the cause of much debate.

So too will the development of an Australian Bacccalaureate as an ‘additional’ international credential for Australian students. Some states argue their Year 12 credential already has international standing, such as the NSW HSC.

As Education Minister Julia Gillard forged a consensus about important reforms such as the national curriculum. There has been little, if any, discussion about the second term agenda.

It is highly unlikely that in the relatively short time left in the election there will be much pubic focus on this agenda, however the measures it contains are serious reform items that ought to have widespread consultation before proceeding further.

Download:  Gillard Education Plan Policy

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