❓ WA Parliamentary Question on Notice regarding policies, programs, resources, and outcomes impacting Indigenous Australians within the Education and Training portfolio since September 2008. The response details various initiatives focused on closing the gap in education.
AnsweredQoN 777Legislative Assembly
QuestionView source ↗
(1) What have been the major policy decisions that have been taken in each of the Minister’s portfolio areas, departments and agencies in the months since 23 September 2008 that have an impact on the interests of the Indigenous population of Western Australia?
(2) What major program initiatives have been taken in each of the Minister’s portfolio areas, departments and agencies in the months since 23 September 2008 that have an impact on the interests of the Indigenous population of Western Australia?
(3) What additional resources have been allocated to any program or policy initiatives in each of the Minister’s portfolio areas, departments and agencies in the months since 23 September 2008 that have an impact on the interests of the Indigenous population of Western Australia?
(4) Please detail the progress or advances in securing positive outcomes for Indigenous people in Western Australia that have been achieved by any of the departments or agencies within the Minister’s portfolio areas since 23 September 2008?
(2) What major program initiatives have been taken in each of the Minister’s portfolio areas, departments and agencies in the months since 23 September 2008 that have an impact on the interests of the Indigenous population of Western Australia?
(3) What additional resources have been allocated to any program or policy initiatives in each of the Minister’s portfolio areas, departments and agencies in the months since 23 September 2008 that have an impact on the interests of the Indigenous population of Western Australia?
(4) Please detail the progress or advances in securing positive outcomes for Indigenous people in Western Australia that have been achieved by any of the departments or agencies within the Minister’s portfolio areas since 23 September 2008?
AnswerView source ↗
Answered
9 June 2009
Responded by
Minister for Education; Tourism
Response time
35 days
For the Department of Education and Training
(1) State and Commonwealth governments have committed to Closing the Gap on Indigenous disadvantage.
The Department is developing a new five year plan for Aboriginal education and training in Western Australia, the
Aboriginal Education and Training Strategy 2009-2013
. This has been aligned with national directions and targets.
(2) - (3) Through Council of Australian Governments, the State and Commonwealth Governments have committed to National Partnership Agreements on Literacy and Numeracy and Low Socioeconomic School Communities. These arrangements have a particular emphasis on disadvantaged schools, Aboriginal students, improving literacy and numeracy standards and students whose first language is not Standard Australian English.
The draft national
Indigenous
Early Childhood Education Framework
received in-principle support as a working document by the Australian Education Systems Officials Committee in February 2009. Western Australia has commenced the development of culturally appropriate early childhood resource materials to support teachers to implement the framework. Language development services in districts have been expanded to address the oral language learning needs of early childhood (Kindergarten to Year 1) Aboriginal children in public schools.
An on-entry assessment instrument to be used in the first year of full-time schooling will be developed or purchased for WA schools. It will help teachers to identify students, including Aboriginal students, with particular learning needs relating to literacy and numeracy. The assessment instrument will pin-point the nature of those difficulties, allowing teachers to plan programs that target children's needs.
To support schools to manage students with the most challenging behaviours, five Specialist Behaviour Psychologists have been appointed (4.0FTE) to work with individual students and schools. This support is for all students, including Aboriginal students.
An election commitment to fund the Department's Strategy for Better Behaviour and Stronger Pastoral Care for all students means that:
· Three new primary and three new secondary behaviour centres are in the planning phases. These centres will be located in regional areas (Bunbury, Port Hedland, Geraldton);
· An additional 25 school psychologists now have access to be trained in Mental Health First Aid;
· Work has commenced to increase access to school chaplains;
· Negotiations with Department of Education Services have commenced to access places for public school students in CARE schools;
· Planning has commenced to increase access to the Positive Parenting Program (PPP) to assist parents of young children;
· 100 additional schools will have access to the Promoting Alternative Thinking Strategies (PATHS) program to reduce aggression and acting out behaviours; and
· The number of school psychologists has been increased. By 2012 there will be an extra 50 school psychologists for public schools.
A Commonwealth funded pilot program to support para-professionals in the classroom, including Aboriginal and Islander Education Officers, has commenced. The pilot will enable case management and targeted intervention for low achieving students in literacy and numeracy.
A review of the Aboriginal and Islander Education Officer program commenced in February 2009 with a focus on improving the effectiveness of the program.
The Aboriginal School Based Training (ASBT) initiative was reviewed in 2008. The revised and improved ASBT is being implemented in 2009 and will allow a larger number of Aboriginal students to participate as a result of the wider range and greater availability of courses.
(4) Since the raising of the school leaving age there has been significant improvement in the retention rates of Aboriginal students to Year 12.
There has been an increase in the number of Aboriginal students who met the requirements for a Year 12 certificate.
National Assessment Program Literacy and Numeracy (NAPLAN) was conducted for the first time in May 2008. As NAPLAN testing for 2009 has only recently occurred, data is not yet available to make comparisons with last year's outcomes for Aboriginal students.
For the Country High School Hostels Authority
(1)To develop effective practice at the Broome Residential College which will serve as a model for future boarding services established for Indigenous students.
(2) & (3) Analysis relating to staffing arrangements which will support effective boarding practice on behalf of Indigenous students.
Submission for State 'Royalties for Regions' funding ($250, 000) to support the establishment of community liaison infrastructure and processes at the Broome Residential College.
Submission for Commonwealth 'Local schools Working Together' funding ($2.5 million) to provide additional student and staff accommodation at the Broome Residential College.
Implementation of a loading factor to apply to the boarding supervisor staffing level at the Broome Residential College, which has increased the allocation from 4 to 6 boarding supervisors relative to residential colleges without a similar number of Indigenous secondary school students.
(4) Increase in the boarding capacity of the Broome Residential College from 40 in 2008 to 72 in 2009, hence providing more students with access to the secondary school services and opportunities on offer in Broome.
For Public Education Endowment Trust
(1) - (3) None
(4) The Public Education Endowment Trust (Trust) has provided funding to projects to benefit all school children, but none since 23 September 2008 to benefit only Indigenous students.
The Trust has not received any applications since 23 September 2008 for projects specific to Indigenous school students.
For the Curriculum Council of WA
(1) No major policy decisions have been taken by the Curriculum Council since 23 September 2008 that impact on Aboriginal students of Western Australia. The Council continues to uphold the values and principles in the Western Australian Curriculum Framework as they relate to improved access, retention and outcomes for all students including Aboriginal students.
(2) Based on the findings of Curriculum Council's survey and interviews of Aboriginal students about their perceptions of senior secondary schooling conducted over April to July 2008, a forum of key education and community stakeholders was convened on Tuesday 3 March 2009 to develop a collaborative strategic response.
(3) Funding was allocated in support of the stakeholders of the forum on 3 March 2009 to collaboratively address the issues raised by Aboriginal students in the survey conducted in 2008. Some Curriculum Council funding has been directed towards the support of teachers and schools as they introduce WACE Courses particularly the Aboriginal and Intercultural studies and Aboriginal Languages and English as an Additional Language and Dialect.
(4) The Curriculum Council has recently instituted an award as one of the exhibitions and awards granted by the Curriculum Council to secondary students at the end of senior secondary schooling. The award is the General Exhibition (ATSI). It is awarded to the top eligible Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander student based on the average of five of their TEE subjects/courses' scaled scores.
For the Department of Education Services
(1)The Melbourne Declaration on the Educational Goals for Young Australians was a major policy direction launched by all Education Ministers in December 2008. In expanding the two goals of the Melbourne Declaration, specific reference is made to Aboriginal students in terms of being successful learners, confident and creative individuals and active and informed citizens as is the expectation of all young Australians.
(2) - (3) Nil
(4) The Western Australian Aboriginal Education and Training Council (WAAETC) has been working with remote communities to progress formalised Agreements with schools and their communities. The process of negotiating the agreements is engaging more Aboriginal parents and family members. School and Community Partnership Agreements are being negotiated at Wangkatjungka, Bayulu and Halls Creek. The process of developing these Agreements and their implementation should lead to greater community participation in schools.
For Tourism Western Australia
(1) No major policy decisions have been made post 23 September 2008 by Tourism Western Australia (Tourism WA) that impact on the interests of the Indigenous population of Western Australia.
(2) Within Tourism WA's Aboriginal Tourism Unit, two major program initiatives have been implemented since 23 September 2008.
Needs Analysis
- this program reviews the 55 market and export ready Aboriginal tourism businesses listed in the Western Australian Product Manual 2008, jointly compiled by Tourism WA and the Western Australian Indigenous Tourism Operators Committee (WAITOC). The Needs Analysis will determine what training, collateral, infrastructure and resource gaps exist that impact on each business in terms of their sustainability and accreditation status. This will be subject to each Aboriginal tourism operator's endorsement.
Capacity Building Program
- a program to provide assistance to Aboriginal tourism operators to address some of the gaps identified in the Needs Analysis, particularly in the area of marketing. Through Tourism WA's Aboriginal Tourism Committee, a cross-agency network will be formed to deliver programs and services in a cohesive and coordinated manner to support Aboriginal tourism operators in creating sustainable tourism businesses.
(3) No additional resources have been allocated since 23 September 2008.
(4) Since Tourism WA's Traineeship and Cadetship initiative was established in 2005, more than 60 trainees and cadets have participated in the program. Ten have commenced since September 2008, with support from partner organisations.
In October 2008, a dedicated DVD was produced to showcase the successful careers of Aboriginal people pursuing tourism careers in Western Australia. This is distributed State-wide through career expos, secondary schools and community groups.
For the Rottnest Island Authority
(1) No major policy decisions have been made since 23 September 2008.
(2) The Rottnest Island Authority's (RIA) Reconciliation Action Plan 2008-11 (RAP) was finalised and launched on the Island on 25 February 2009 and attended by many Indigenous and non Indigenous people. As part of this plan the RIA is establishing a reference group of Aboriginal representatives to advise the RIA on the implementation of the many objectives of the RAP.
(3) The RIA has proposed to allocate $500,000 over five years (2010-14) to fund its RAP. This was stated in the recent draft Rottnest Island Management Plan 2009-14 which was subject to public comment, and is being finalised at present.
(4)
(i) The RIA was successful in facilitating an Aboriginal business to commence operations on Rottnest Island, which is known as the Wadjemup Bus Tour. The tour commenced operating on 25 February 2009.
(ii) The RIA has in the past engaged an Aboriginal cadet and trainee from recognised Indigenous youth training schemes and is committed to engaging a full time Indigenous officer as well as a cadet or trainee each year.
(iii) The RIA has commissioned a whole of island Aboriginal heritage survey to identify and protect significant Aboriginal sites and values across Rottnest Island. Community consultation has been a major part of this project.
(iv) The RIA will continue to work with universities to further research into Aboriginal history associated with the Island.
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(1) State and Commonwealth governments have committed to Closing the Gap on Indigenous disadvantage.
The Department is developing a new five year plan for Aboriginal education and training in Western Australia, the
Aboriginal Education and Training Strategy 2009-2013
. This has been aligned with national directions and targets.
(2) - (3) Through Council of Australian Governments, the State and Commonwealth Governments have committed to National Partnership Agreements on Literacy and Numeracy and Low Socioeconomic School Communities. These arrangements have a particular emphasis on disadvantaged schools, Aboriginal students, improving literacy and numeracy standards and students whose first language is not Standard Australian English.
The draft national
Indigenous
Early Childhood Education Framework
received in-principle support as a working document by the Australian Education Systems Officials Committee in February 2009. Western Australia has commenced the development of culturally appropriate early childhood resource materials to support teachers to implement the framework. Language development services in districts have been expanded to address the oral language learning needs of early childhood (Kindergarten to Year 1) Aboriginal children in public schools.
An on-entry assessment instrument to be used in the first year of full-time schooling will be developed or purchased for WA schools. It will help teachers to identify students, including Aboriginal students, with particular learning needs relating to literacy and numeracy. The assessment instrument will pin-point the nature of those difficulties, allowing teachers to plan programs that target children's needs.
To support schools to manage students with the most challenging behaviours, five Specialist Behaviour Psychologists have been appointed (4.0FTE) to work with individual students and schools. This support is for all students, including Aboriginal students.
An election commitment to fund the Department's Strategy for Better Behaviour and Stronger Pastoral Care for all students means that:
· Three new primary and three new secondary behaviour centres are in the planning phases. These centres will be located in regional areas (Bunbury, Port Hedland, Geraldton);
· An additional 25 school psychologists now have access to be trained in Mental Health First Aid;
· Work has commenced to increase access to school chaplains;
· Negotiations with Department of Education Services have commenced to access places for public school students in CARE schools;
· Planning has commenced to increase access to the Positive Parenting Program (PPP) to assist parents of young children;
· 100 additional schools will have access to the Promoting Alternative Thinking Strategies (PATHS) program to reduce aggression and acting out behaviours; and
· The number of school psychologists has been increased. By 2012 there will be an extra 50 school psychologists for public schools.
A Commonwealth funded pilot program to support para-professionals in the classroom, including Aboriginal and Islander Education Officers, has commenced. The pilot will enable case management and targeted intervention for low achieving students in literacy and numeracy.
A review of the Aboriginal and Islander Education Officer program commenced in February 2009 with a focus on improving the effectiveness of the program.
The Aboriginal School Based Training (ASBT) initiative was reviewed in 2008. The revised and improved ASBT is being implemented in 2009 and will allow a larger number of Aboriginal students to participate as a result of the wider range and greater availability of courses.
(4) Since the raising of the school leaving age there has been significant improvement in the retention rates of Aboriginal students to Year 12.
There has been an increase in the number of Aboriginal students who met the requirements for a Year 12 certificate.
National Assessment Program Literacy and Numeracy (NAPLAN) was conducted for the first time in May 2008. As NAPLAN testing for 2009 has only recently occurred, data is not yet available to make comparisons with last year's outcomes for Aboriginal students.
For the Country High School Hostels Authority
(1)To develop effective practice at the Broome Residential College which will serve as a model for future boarding services established for Indigenous students.
(2) & (3) Analysis relating to staffing arrangements which will support effective boarding practice on behalf of Indigenous students.
Submission for State 'Royalties for Regions' funding ($250, 000) to support the establishment of community liaison infrastructure and processes at the Broome Residential College.
Submission for Commonwealth 'Local schools Working Together' funding ($2.5 million) to provide additional student and staff accommodation at the Broome Residential College.
Implementation of a loading factor to apply to the boarding supervisor staffing level at the Broome Residential College, which has increased the allocation from 4 to 6 boarding supervisors relative to residential colleges without a similar number of Indigenous secondary school students.
(4) Increase in the boarding capacity of the Broome Residential College from 40 in 2008 to 72 in 2009, hence providing more students with access to the secondary school services and opportunities on offer in Broome.
For Public Education Endowment Trust
(1) - (3) None
(4) The Public Education Endowment Trust (Trust) has provided funding to projects to benefit all school children, but none since 23 September 2008 to benefit only Indigenous students.
The Trust has not received any applications since 23 September 2008 for projects specific to Indigenous school students.
For the Curriculum Council of WA
(1) No major policy decisions have been taken by the Curriculum Council since 23 September 2008 that impact on Aboriginal students of Western Australia. The Council continues to uphold the values and principles in the Western Australian Curriculum Framework as they relate to improved access, retention and outcomes for all students including Aboriginal students.
(2) Based on the findings of Curriculum Council's survey and interviews of Aboriginal students about their perceptions of senior secondary schooling conducted over April to July 2008, a forum of key education and community stakeholders was convened on Tuesday 3 March 2009 to develop a collaborative strategic response.
(3) Funding was allocated in support of the stakeholders of the forum on 3 March 2009 to collaboratively address the issues raised by Aboriginal students in the survey conducted in 2008. Some Curriculum Council funding has been directed towards the support of teachers and schools as they introduce WACE Courses particularly the Aboriginal and Intercultural studies and Aboriginal Languages and English as an Additional Language and Dialect.
(4) The Curriculum Council has recently instituted an award as one of the exhibitions and awards granted by the Curriculum Council to secondary students at the end of senior secondary schooling. The award is the General Exhibition (ATSI). It is awarded to the top eligible Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander student based on the average of five of their TEE subjects/courses' scaled scores.
For the Department of Education Services
(1)The Melbourne Declaration on the Educational Goals for Young Australians was a major policy direction launched by all Education Ministers in December 2008. In expanding the two goals of the Melbourne Declaration, specific reference is made to Aboriginal students in terms of being successful learners, confident and creative individuals and active and informed citizens as is the expectation of all young Australians.
(2) - (3) Nil
(4) The Western Australian Aboriginal Education and Training Council (WAAETC) has been working with remote communities to progress formalised Agreements with schools and their communities. The process of negotiating the agreements is engaging more Aboriginal parents and family members. School and Community Partnership Agreements are being negotiated at Wangkatjungka, Bayulu and Halls Creek. The process of developing these Agreements and their implementation should lead to greater community participation in schools.
For Tourism Western Australia
(1) No major policy decisions have been made post 23 September 2008 by Tourism Western Australia (Tourism WA) that impact on the interests of the Indigenous population of Western Australia.
(2) Within Tourism WA's Aboriginal Tourism Unit, two major program initiatives have been implemented since 23 September 2008.
Needs Analysis
- this program reviews the 55 market and export ready Aboriginal tourism businesses listed in the Western Australian Product Manual 2008, jointly compiled by Tourism WA and the Western Australian Indigenous Tourism Operators Committee (WAITOC). The Needs Analysis will determine what training, collateral, infrastructure and resource gaps exist that impact on each business in terms of their sustainability and accreditation status. This will be subject to each Aboriginal tourism operator's endorsement.
Capacity Building Program
- a program to provide assistance to Aboriginal tourism operators to address some of the gaps identified in the Needs Analysis, particularly in the area of marketing. Through Tourism WA's Aboriginal Tourism Committee, a cross-agency network will be formed to deliver programs and services in a cohesive and coordinated manner to support Aboriginal tourism operators in creating sustainable tourism businesses.
(3) No additional resources have been allocated since 23 September 2008.
(4) Since Tourism WA's Traineeship and Cadetship initiative was established in 2005, more than 60 trainees and cadets have participated in the program. Ten have commenced since September 2008, with support from partner organisations.
In October 2008, a dedicated DVD was produced to showcase the successful careers of Aboriginal people pursuing tourism careers in Western Australia. This is distributed State-wide through career expos, secondary schools and community groups.
For the Rottnest Island Authority
(1) No major policy decisions have been made since 23 September 2008.
(2) The Rottnest Island Authority's (RIA) Reconciliation Action Plan 2008-11 (RAP) was finalised and launched on the Island on 25 February 2009 and attended by many Indigenous and non Indigenous people. As part of this plan the RIA is establishing a reference group of Aboriginal representatives to advise the RIA on the implementation of the many objectives of the RAP.
(3) The RIA has proposed to allocate $500,000 over five years (2010-14) to fund its RAP. This was stated in the recent draft Rottnest Island Management Plan 2009-14 which was subject to public comment, and is being finalised at present.
(4)
(i) The RIA was successful in facilitating an Aboriginal business to commence operations on Rottnest Island, which is known as the Wadjemup Bus Tour. The tour commenced operating on 25 February 2009.
(ii) The RIA has in the past engaged an Aboriginal cadet and trainee from recognised Indigenous youth training schemes and is committed to engaging a full time Indigenous officer as well as a cadet or trainee each year.
(iii) The RIA has commissioned a whole of island Aboriginal heritage survey to identify and protect significant Aboriginal sites and values across Rottnest Island. Community consultation has been a major part of this project.
(iv) The RIA will continue to work with universities to further research into Aboriginal history associated with the Island.
Notice: This document is created or edited using unregistered or evaluation copy of rtLib valid for testing or development purposes only. To use it for productive or any other purposes please register it. You may purchase the license on
http://www.rtlib.com
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