A new targets-based funding program for NSW public schools has been announced by Premier Gladys Berejiklian, with schools to earn greater funding decision autonomy based on student numeracy and literacy performance.
Ms Berejiklian said schools would earn autonomy to make funding and educational decisions by hitting a range of targets, using criteria such as Bump It Up, and HSC and NAPLAN results.
The Minister for Education, Sarah Mitchell said the improvements to the Local Schools, Local Decisions initiative would strike the right balance between autonomy, accountability and support for schools.
“Improving Local Schools, Local Decisions is unashamedly about lifting performance in NSW through supporting evidence based best practice teaching and learning,” Ms Mitchell said.
“It is fantastic that many schools have been able to excel under Local Schools, Local Decisions but other schools need more attention when it comes to improving outcomes,” she said.
“These changes to the policy will enable us to provide the support that these principals and teachers need.”
Ms Mitchell said the Department of Education would consult with education stakeholders on the reforms and agree on targets with schools by the end of Term four 2020.
She said the changes would be implemented on day one of Term one, 2021.