Hon Barry House questions the axing of the Year 10 Fast Track program at Busselton Senior High School, citing its success in improving student behaviour and truancy. Hon Ljiljanna Ravlich responds on behalf of the Minister, attributing the decision to overstaffing and a shift in school priorities.

AnsweredQoN 691Legislative Council
Asked
12 March 2003
Portfolio
Education and Training

QuestionView source ↗

(1) Why has the year 10 Fast Track program at the Busselton Senior High School been axed? (2) Is the minister aware that this program has already operated successfully for six weeks, producing significant improvements in truancy and other behaviour of the students involved? (3) Why can the program not be reinstated? Hon LJILJANNA RAVLICH

AnswerView source ↗

I thank the member for some notice of this question, and provide the following response on behalf of the parliamentary secretary representing the Minister for Education and Training - (1) The Fast Track program for year 10 was planned for 2003 as an extension of the year 11 Fast Track program, as the school believed it would have additional staffing resources through increased student numbers. As a result of the February census of student numbers, it was found that the school was overstaffed by 1.4 full-time equivalents. The school examined all programs to see which matched school priorities, and to decide where savings could be made. The school considered that the withdrawal of year 10 students into the Fast Track program was not as effective as it could be. It was considered that the 14 students involved would achieve improved long-term educational outcomes if they were included in the total year 10 cohort, with individual education plans to accommodate their needs. (2) School priorities determined what programs should be provided with the resources available. Truancy and behaviour issues are being addressed through school policy and processes. (3) Given the circumstances outlined in (1) and (2), the year 10 Fast Track program is no longer the most effective use of available resources.
(2) Is the minister aware that this program has already operated successfully for six weeks, producing significant improvements in truancy and other behaviour of the students involved? (3) Why can the program not be reinstated? Hon LJILJANNA RAVLICH replied: I thank the member for some notice of this question, and provide the following response on behalf of the parliamentary secretary representing the Minister for Education and Training - (1) The Fast Track program for year 10 was planned for 2003 as an extension of the year 11 Fast Track program, as the school believed it would have additional staffing resources through increased student numbers. As a result of the February census of student numbers, it was found that the school was overstaffed by 1.4 full-time equivalents. The school examined all programs to see which matched school priorities, and to decide where savings could be made. The school considered that the withdrawal of year 10 students into the Fast Track program was not as effective as it could be. It was considered that the 14 students involved would achieve improved long-term educational outcomes if they were included in the total year 10 cohort, with individual education plans to accommodate their needs. (2) School priorities determined what programs should be provided with the resources available. Truancy and behaviour issues are being addressed through school policy and processes. (3) Given the circumstances outlined in (1) and (2), the year 10 Fast Track program is no longer the most effective use of available resources.
(3) Why can the program not be reinstated? Hon LJILJANNA RAVLICH replied: I thank the member for some notice of this question, and provide the following response on behalf of the parliamentary secretary representing the Minister for Education and Training - (1) The Fast Track program for year 10 was planned for 2003 as an extension of the year 11 Fast Track program, as the school believed it would have additional staffing resources through increased student numbers. As a result of the February census of student numbers, it was found that the school was overstaffed by 1.4 full-time equivalents. The school examined all programs to see which matched school priorities, and to decide where savings could be made. The school considered that the withdrawal of year 10 students into the Fast Track program was not as effective as it could be. It was considered that the 14 students involved would achieve improved long-term educational outcomes if they were included in the total year 10 cohort, with individual education plans to accommodate their needs. (2) School priorities determined what programs should be provided with the resources available. Truancy and behaviour issues are being addressed through school policy and processes. (3) Given the circumstances outlined in (1) and (2), the year 10 Fast Track program is no longer the most effective use of available resources.
Hon LJILJANNA RAVLICH replied: I thank the member for some notice of this question, and provide the following response on behalf of the parliamentary secretary representing the Minister for Education and Training - (1) The Fast Track program for year 10 was planned for 2003 as an extension of the year 11 Fast Track program, as the school believed it would have additional staffing resources through increased student numbers. As a result of the February census of student numbers, it was found that the school was overstaffed by 1.4 full-time equivalents. The school examined all programs to see which matched school priorities, and to decide where savings could be made. The school considered that the withdrawal of year 10 students into the Fast Track program was not as effective as it could be. It was considered that the 14 students involved would achieve improved long-term educational outcomes if they were included in the total year 10 cohort, with individual education plans to accommodate their needs. (2) School priorities determined what programs should be provided with the resources available. Truancy and behaviour issues are being addressed through school policy and processes. (3) Given the circumstances outlined in (1) and (2), the year 10 Fast Track program is no longer the most effective use of available resources.
I thank the member for some notice of this question, and provide the following response on behalf of the parliamentary secretary representing the Minister for Education and Training - (1) The Fast Track program for year 10 was planned for 2003 as an extension of the year 11 Fast Track program, as the school believed it would have additional staffing resources through increased student numbers. As a result of the February census of student numbers, it was found that the school was overstaffed by 1.4 full-time equivalents. The school examined all programs to see which matched school priorities, and to decide where savings could be made. The school considered that the withdrawal of year 10 students into the Fast Track program was not as effective as it could be. It was considered that the 14 students involved would achieve improved long-term educational outcomes if they were included in the total year 10 cohort, with individual education plans to accommodate their needs. (2) School priorities determined what programs should be provided with the resources available. Truancy and behaviour issues are being addressed through school policy and processes. (3) Given the circumstances outlined in (1) and (2), the year 10 Fast Track program is no longer the most effective use of available resources.
(1) The Fast Track program for year 10 was planned for 2003 as an extension of the year 11 Fast Track program, as the school believed it would have additional staffing resources through increased student numbers. As a result of the February census of student numbers, it was found that the school was overstaffed by 1.4 full-time equivalents. The school examined all programs to see which matched school priorities, and to decide where savings could be made. The school considered that the withdrawal of year 10 students into the Fast Track program was not as effective as it could be. It was considered that the 14 students involved would achieve improved long-term educational outcomes if they were included in the total year 10 cohort, with individual education plans to accommodate their needs. (2) School priorities determined what programs should be provided with the resources available. Truancy and behaviour issues are being addressed through school policy and processes. (3) Given the circumstances outlined in (1) and (2), the year 10 Fast Track program is no longer the most effective use of available resources.
(2) School priorities determined what programs should be provided with the resources available. Truancy and behaviour issues are being addressed through school policy and processes. (3) Given the circumstances outlined in (1) and (2), the year 10 Fast Track program is no longer the most effective use of available resources.
(3) Given the circumstances outlined in (1) and (2), the year 10 Fast Track program is no longer the most effective use of available resources.

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