The Future of Schooling in Australia

The Future of Schooling in Australia (new window) 576k report proposes a new national framework for Australian schooling by the states and territories. The framework is based on the premise that the quality and performance of teachers, schools and jurisdictions are central to the life prospects of every student and to national prosperity.

Since the 1999 Adelaide Declaration on Schooling there have been significant societal, environmental and technological changes. The decision to undertake a review of the Adelaide Declaration was made by the Premiers and Chief Ministers of the states and territories at the Council for the Australian Federation inaugural meeting on 13 October 2006.

A steering committee comprising senior officials from all jurisdictions' education departments was established to oversee the review. The resulting report of the steering committee, The Future of Schooling in Australia, was endorsed by the Council for the Australian Federation at its 12 April 2007 meeting.

The Future of Schooling in Australia also details Australia's comparative international educational performance, examples of jurisdictional innovation and the challenges facing schooling in 2007 and includes a list of actions to be undertaken by jurisdictions.

States and territories are committed to the delivery of high quality school education and to governments working together in a federation. States and territories will now invite the Australian Government to support the report and make the same commitment to Australian schooling.

The Department of Education, Training and the Arts will consult with key Queensland stakeholders, including the Queensland Catholic Education Council and Independent Schools Queensland, on the report's Statement on the Future of Schooling in Australia and the implementation of the Action Plan.

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