The NSW Government says new HSC attainment and school attendance targets will help to lift outcomes for all students, including at comprehensive primary and high schools, selective schools, regional and rural schools, and Schools for Specific Purposes.
Deputy Premier and Minister for Education and Early Learning, Prue Car said the system-wide measures will rebuild the state’s “broken” public education system.
“We cannot undo 12 years of neglect overnight, but we are working hard to ensure that no matter your postcode, parents know their children are receiving a world-class education,” said Minister Car.
“This is about setting high expectations of our public education system and every one of our students.
“No longer will targets be focused simply on the top-achieving students – these ambitious measures will help lift outcomes for all students across the state.”
Under the new targets, schools will be required to strive for ambitious new goals, including:
- Increasing the average NAPLAN reading and numeracy scores in 2027 by:
- 10.2 points for Year 5 Reading
- 5.8 points for Year 9 Reading
- 11.5 points for Year 5 Numeracy
- 5.7 points for Year 9 Numeracy
- Increasing the proportion of NSW students attaining Year 12 from 70.5% in 2022 to 74% in 2027.
- Growing the number of students taking up university, training or work for school leavers from 88.1% to 92% in 2027
- Increasing the average student attendance rate from 87.8% in 2023 to 88.8% in 2027
Department of Education Secretary, Murat Dizdar said the new system-wide targets reflect specific improvement targets required of schools in the areas of reading, numeracy and completions. With NAPLAN tests scheduled two academic years apart, data is now available to measure year group improvement after the Commonwealth introduced new NAPLAN baselines in 2023.
“We have high expectations for achievement for our public education system, with ambitious reading and numeracy improvement measures being put in place by every school during term 1 this year,” said Mr Dizdar.
“All public schools aim to ensure all students show growth in their literacy and numeracy skills. We recognise that this is the cornerstone for a successful schooling experience for every student.
“Our new measures will account for the achievements of all students, not just those in the highest bands.
“The pathways improvement measure will capture the transitions of all students into meaningful post-school pathways, whether that is tertiary education, technical and further education or paid employment.”
Alongside new academic targets, the Department has introduced a suite of system-focused measures to support teachers, schools and school-support staff wellbeing and retention, as well as prioritising key school infrastructure projects, the Government said in a statement.
These measures include reducing teacher administrative time, cutting teacher vacancy rates, and attracting and retaining teachers. The complete set of 16 measures is available on the Department’s website.
Progress made to date during 2024 can be found here.
