❓ Mr. Cook questions the Minister for Science about a decline in year 7 science test results and the need for increased monitoring. The Minister disputes the validity of the reported decline but acknowledges a broader trend of declining science and maths performance.
AnsweredQoN 726Legislative Assembly
QuestionView source ↗
MONITORING
STANDARDS IN EDUCATION TESTS
726. Mr R.H. COOK to the
Minister for Science:
I have a supplementary question. Given that the results of
this year, or the most recent results, show a substantial decline in the
results of year 7s achieving the test standard in science, and the Minister for
Science's promise to make science a priority, should we not be doing
more to monitor and lift science in our schools, and not less?
STANDARDS IN EDUCATION TESTS
726. Mr R.H. COOK to the
Minister for Science:
I have a supplementary question. Given that the results of
this year, or the most recent results, show a substantial decline in the
results of year 7s achieving the test standard in science, and the Minister for
Science's promise to make science a priority, should we not be doing
more to monitor and lift science in our schools, and not less?
AnswerView source ↗
I do not have that report in front of me, but the member for
Kwinana says ''a substantial decline''. I do not know what period
he is talking about.
Mr R.H. Cook :
Between 2011 and 2012, the drop was from 48.2 per cent in 2011 down to 42.3 per
cent; so it is a substantial decline.
Mr
C.J. BARNETT : For the member for Kwinana to make that claim would imply
that those statistics are a true reflection.
Mr
R.H. Cook : It's your testing and monitoring program.
Mr
C.J. BARNETT : I am answering it. I do not believe that there would really
be a six per cent decline, or change, in science performance or education from
one academic year to another. That is simply not statistically valid. I do know
a bit about the validity of statistics. There may be a trend. There has been a
trend of decline in science and maths in education in Australia and in this
state, and this is a concern. One of the reasons I have taken on the science
portfolio is that I want science and maths elevated in the school system. The
point I make —
Mr
P. Papalia : You don't know what you're talking about.
Mr
C.J. BARNETT : Opposition members keep on saying I do not know what I am
talking about. I can tell them right now that it would take something dramatic
in our school system —
Mr
M. McGowan : Why get rid of the testing?
Mr C.J. BARNETT :
Mr Speaker, there is no point talking to them.
Kwinana says ''a substantial decline''. I do not know what period
he is talking about.
Mr R.H. Cook :
Between 2011 and 2012, the drop was from 48.2 per cent in 2011 down to 42.3 per
cent; so it is a substantial decline.
Mr
C.J. BARNETT : For the member for Kwinana to make that claim would imply
that those statistics are a true reflection.
Mr
R.H. Cook : It's your testing and monitoring program.
Mr
C.J. BARNETT : I am answering it. I do not believe that there would really
be a six per cent decline, or change, in science performance or education from
one academic year to another. That is simply not statistically valid. I do know
a bit about the validity of statistics. There may be a trend. There has been a
trend of decline in science and maths in education in Australia and in this
state, and this is a concern. One of the reasons I have taken on the science
portfolio is that I want science and maths elevated in the school system. The
point I make —
Mr
P. Papalia : You don't know what you're talking about.
Mr
C.J. BARNETT : Opposition members keep on saying I do not know what I am
talking about. I can tell them right now that it would take something dramatic
in our school system —
Mr
M. McGowan : Why get rid of the testing?
Mr C.J. BARNETT :
Mr Speaker, there is no point talking to them.
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