Current issues of particular importance and urgency

• Standardised/Benchmark Testing
  In a meeting on Wednesday 29th October 2003 with the Senior Education Advisor to Dr Brendan Nelson, Federal Minister For Education, Science & Training, a submission outlining the position of the AAPAE and its members on standardised testing was handed out. The submission can be seen here.

• Booroobin's Court Case

• State, Territory and Federal Government Reviews
  AAPAE's Submission to the National Inquiry into the Teaching of Literacy. Information relating to the Inquiry can be found at www.dest.gov.au/schools/literacyinquiry.

• DEST Funding Agreements 2005-2008
  On or around 23rd December 2004, AAPAE member schools received letters outlining the Commonwealth of Australia's, represented by the Department of Education Science and Training, Agreement for the 2005-2008 Provision of Funding under the Schools' Assisstance (Learning Together-Achievemnet through Choice and Opportunity) Act 2004.
  These letters contain Educational Requirements which may not be in accord with the philosophies, practices and constitutions of some member schools.
  Members contacted Dest and the Minister and have appeared on ABC AM programme to lobby for the right to retain choice and difference. School Council meetings are being are being held to make decisions re the implications of signing such agreements.
  Dr Nelson has replied to AAPAE's letters assuring all members that parents retain the right to "withdraw their child from standardised tests".... "accounting and reporting commitments and requirements for Government funding from 2005-2008"... including the new common national tests and to withdraw their child from "other requirements under the new legislation where there are concerns that these run counter to alternative educational philosophies."

  For more information see Australian Government Programmes for Schools Quadrennial Administrative Guidelines - 2005 to 2008. For a copy of the agreement see www.currambena.nsw.edu.au.

• Proposed National Curriculum
  The Federal Government has appointed a National Curriculum Board and is undertaking a a process of public consultation, public forums and opportunities for submisssions with a view to implementing a National Curriculum inEnglish, Mathematics, the Sciences and History. Website is www.ncb.org.au.

• Schools Assistance Bill 2008
  In November 2008 the Senate passed the most recent Quadrennial Federal Funding Bill for 2008-2013, The Schools Assistance Bill 2008. Once again the government has continued the previous government's practice of linking this funding to compulsory requirements such as implementing the National Curriculum, which has not been written or finalised, National Testing Programs etc.
  

• The following are submissions by AAPAE on the two related matters of the National Curriculum and the Schools Assistance Bill:
  AAPAE Submission to Federal Minister for Education, Julia Gillard
  AAPAE Submission to Australian Council for Educational Leaders
  AAPAE Submission to National Curriculum Board, Nov 2008
  AAPAE Submission to National Curriculum Board, Dec 2008
  AAPAE Submission on History
  AAPAE Submission on Maths
  AAPAE Submission on English
  AAPAE Submission on Science