NAPLAN is a Cancer Eating Away at Education

Save Our Schools has received many objections to the NAPLAN tests from parents, teachers and principals in response to its public call for information on the impact of the tests. Trevor Cobbold, National Convenor of SOS, said that the responses show that NAPLAN is having pernicious effects on Australian education. Continue reading “NAPLAN is a Cancer Eating Away at Education”

Education Authorities Are Misleading Parents on Withdrawal from NAPLAN Tests

Save Our Schools has accused the Australian Curriculum, Assessment and Reporting Authority (ACARA) and other education authorities of actively misleading parents about their right to withdraw their children from the NAPLAN tests. Trevor Cobbold, national convenor of SOS, said that that ACARA’s information brochure for parents on NAPLAN gives the impression that the tests are mandatory. Continue reading “Education Authorities Are Misleading Parents on Withdrawal from NAPLAN Tests”

Report Says Wealthy Catholic Schools are Over-Funded

A new research paper published by Save Our Schools (SOS) shows that virtually all high income Catholic combined and secondary schools in Australia are over-funded compared to what they are entitled to according to their socio-economic capacity. SOS National Convenor, Trevor Cobbold, said that the report challenges claims by Catholic education authorities that they re-distribute funds from high income to disadvantaged Catholic schools.

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Outlandish Funding Bonanza for Private Schools

A report published today by the public education advocacy group, Save Our Schools, finds that two voucher models of school funding proposed to the Gonski Review would deliver billions of dollars in additional funding for private schools and no increases for government schools.

Trevor Cobbold, author of the report and national convenor of SOS, said the proposals would provide an outlandish funding bonanza for private schools and should be rejected by the Review. Continue reading “Outlandish Funding Bonanza for Private Schools”

Gonski Review Should Disregard Private School Hysterics

Save Our Schools today called on the Gonski Review of School Funding to use its commissioned research reports as the foundation for a new school funding model. In releasing its submission on the reports, the national convenor of SOS, Trevor Cobbold, said that Review Committee should disregard the hysterical reaction of private school organisations to the reports. Continue reading “Gonski Review Should Disregard Private School Hysterics”

Research Studies Show that Small Schools Work

A review of research studies on small schools published today by the national Save Our Schools group has called into question the Tasmanian Government’s claim that closing small schools will lead to better student results. SOS national convenor, Trevor Cobbold, said that the studies show that small schools work. Continue reading “Research Studies Show that Small Schools Work”

Education Minister in Breach of Education Act on School Closures

Save Our Schools has accused the Tasmanian Greens Minister for Education, Nick McKim, of breaching his own Education Act and making a sham of consultation on school closures. SOS National Convenor, Trevor Cobbold, called on the Minister to immediately publish impact statements on the school closures and extend the consultation period.

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Teacher Bonuses are Another Failed Scheme from New York

Save Our Schools has accused the Prime Minister of adopting another failed reform from her ‘hero’ from New York, former Schools Chancellor Joel Klein. Trevor Cobbold, National Convenor of SOS, said that the research evidence shows that bonuses do not improve student results and will be a huge waste of money. Continue reading “Teacher Bonuses are Another Failed Scheme from New York”

Call for New Funding Model for Govt & Private Schools

Save Our Schools has called for a complete overhaul of school funding arrangements in a submission to the School Funding Review. SOS National Convenor, Trevor Cobbold, said that a new funding model is necessary to better direct government funding at improving equity in education. Continue reading “Call for New Funding Model for Govt & Private Schools”

Call for Public Inquiry into Deteriorating Education Results in the ACT

The latest international test results for the ACT are a condemnation of the education record of the Stanhope Government according to Save Our Schools. SOS National Convenor, Trevor Cobbold, said that the results are disastrous and called for an independent public inquiry to establish a new direction in education policy in the ACT.

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