The final Terms of Reference for the Review of Funding For Schooling have been released, including several of the key issues raised during the consultation by CSA. These include recognition of the investment of parents and churches, the importance of fostering choice and diversity and the need to provide for future growth.

The Review will establish the basis for all school funding by government beyond the current agreement which ends in 2012.

Its overriding purpose is "directed towards achieving a funding system for the period beyond 2012 which is transparent, fair, financially sustainable and effective in promoting excellent educational outcomes for all Australian students".

CSA welcomes the Terms of Reference and supports these objectives.

We also welcome the Government's responsiveness to our input into the final Terms.

In our response to the Discussion Paper released earlier this year, CSA suggested several key additions to the draft Terms, including

• that the way funds are distributed (the allocative mechanism) should be included in the Review
• that the role of parents and community sector organisations (such as churches) should be given recognition
• that the importance of providing choice and diversity be recognised as a key outcome for the provision of government funding
• the need to consider the demand for growth, including the need to establish schools in growth areas.

These concerns have all been incorporated into the Review.

The release coincided with the start of consultations by the Expert Review Panel.

CSA's Stephen O'Doherty and Mark Spencer have held an initial discussion with Panel members in Sydney, a meeting which was wide-ranging and productive. We look forward to continuing to contribute positively towards this extremely important process.

Resources

 ReviewFundToR

Review home page at DEEWR

Minister's Press Release