❓ Hon. Samantha Rowe questions the Minister for Education about potential curriculum restrictions at Belmont City College and Darling Range Sports College due to funding model changes. The Minister assures that overall funding is increasing and transition support is in place.
AnsweredQoN 1026Legislative Council
QuestionView source ↗
BELMONT
CITY COLLEGE AND DARLING RANGE SPORTS COLLEGE — STUDENT-CENTRED FUNDING
MODEL
1026. Hon SAMANTHA ROWE to the
Minister for Education:
I refer to changes to the education funding model in 2015
that will leave Belmont City College and Darling Range Sports College worse off
by $250 000, compared with the current funding model.
(1) Does the
government recognise that students at these schools may, as a result of funding
changes, be unable to study some of their current subjects due to curriculum
restrictions?
(2) Have
government representatives spoken to the principals and/or other staff at these
schools about the possible impacts of funding changes on curriculums?
(3) If no to (2), why not?
CITY COLLEGE AND DARLING RANGE SPORTS COLLEGE — STUDENT-CENTRED FUNDING
MODEL
1026. Hon SAMANTHA ROWE to the
Minister for Education:
I refer to changes to the education funding model in 2015
that will leave Belmont City College and Darling Range Sports College worse off
by $250 000, compared with the current funding model.
(1) Does the
government recognise that students at these schools may, as a result of funding
changes, be unable to study some of their current subjects due to curriculum
restrictions?
(2) Have
government representatives spoken to the principals and/or other staff at these
schools about the possible impacts of funding changes on curriculums?
(3) If no to (2), why not?
AnswerView source ↗
I thank the honourable member for some notice of the
question.
(1) Although
secondary schools will receive less funding than they may have expected under
the old model, the majority will have more funding in 2015 than they do in 2014
due to the inclusion of year 7 students, the exit of the half-cohort from
secondary schools at the end of 2014, and general funding increases. In 2015,
Belmont City College is projected to receive $1 170 108 more in funding than in
2014. Darling Range Sports College is projected to receive $1 289 523 more in
funding. The state government has provided $10 million in transition funding
for 2015 to assist with the transition and to ensure that in any one year no
school experiences a funding reduction of more than $250 000. This is a
reduction compared with what the school may have been expecting under the old
funding model.
In relation to curriculum changes, a
five-year transition period has been put in place so that schools can adjust to
operating within their new budgets and allow schools time to adjust programs,
timetables and structures to ensure resources are used as effectively as possible.
This also ensures that no student will be negatively affected and can continue
year 11 subjects into year 12. It is important to note that curriculum choice
for students has never been greater than it is today. The School Curriculum and
Standards Authority lists around 60 ATAR courses for 2015; in 2004 there were
33 TEE subjects available for years 11 and 12 students. Curriculum offerings
have been, and will continue to be, influenced by student enrolment numbers and
student preferences.
(2) Staff from
Belmont City College and Darling Range Sports College have attended training on
the student-centred funding model and one-line budgets. A team of principal
advisers with experience in the operation of one-line budgets are providing
training and ongoing one-to-one support for long-term budget and workforce
planning. I am advised that the principal of Belmont City College was contacted
by one of the principal advisers with an offer of one-on-one support. Ongoing
support is available through the principal advisers as required.
(3) Not applicable.
question.
(1) Although
secondary schools will receive less funding than they may have expected under
the old model, the majority will have more funding in 2015 than they do in 2014
due to the inclusion of year 7 students, the exit of the half-cohort from
secondary schools at the end of 2014, and general funding increases. In 2015,
Belmont City College is projected to receive $1 170 108 more in funding than in
2014. Darling Range Sports College is projected to receive $1 289 523 more in
funding. The state government has provided $10 million in transition funding
for 2015 to assist with the transition and to ensure that in any one year no
school experiences a funding reduction of more than $250 000. This is a
reduction compared with what the school may have been expecting under the old
funding model.
In relation to curriculum changes, a
five-year transition period has been put in place so that schools can adjust to
operating within their new budgets and allow schools time to adjust programs,
timetables and structures to ensure resources are used as effectively as possible.
This also ensures that no student will be negatively affected and can continue
year 11 subjects into year 12. It is important to note that curriculum choice
for students has never been greater than it is today. The School Curriculum and
Standards Authority lists around 60 ATAR courses for 2015; in 2004 there were
33 TEE subjects available for years 11 and 12 students. Curriculum offerings
have been, and will continue to be, influenced by student enrolment numbers and
student preferences.
(2) Staff from
Belmont City College and Darling Range Sports College have attended training on
the student-centred funding model and one-line budgets. A team of principal
advisers with experience in the operation of one-line budgets are providing
training and ongoing one-to-one support for long-term budget and workforce
planning. I am advised that the principal of Belmont City College was contacted
by one of the principal advisers with an offer of one-on-one support. Ongoing
support is available through the principal advisers as required.
(3) Not applicable.
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