[Greens-Media] Sen. KERRY NETTLE: A to E reporting a mess which threatens students

[Edwards, Jon (Sen K. Nettle)]

A to E reporting a mess which threatens students 

07.09.06

Greens Education Spokesperson Senator Kerry Nettle today called on the
Federal Education Minister, Julie Bishop, to admit defeat and withdraw
the requirement for all pupils to be graded from A to E.

"Julie Bishop has watered down the proposed A to E reporting
requirements in the face of huge opposition from teachers, parents and
principals. It's time she admitted defeat and dropped the idea," Senator
Nettle said.

"Today's news from New South Wales that the form of reports in that
state is still under a cloud shows what a pointless mess this issue has
become. 

"The NSW Minister appears unsure whether the Federal government will
enforce A to E reporting and is so far sticking to the obviously flawed
proposal.

"The proposal has been botched and has created confusion at every level
which leaves States wondering whether they will lose funding, teachers
threatening industrial action and parents scratching their heads.

"Since Minister Nelson first raised the proposal the details have
changed several times. First to allow equivalent reporting and then to
allow parents to opt out of the requirement, in effect admitting it can
be damaging to some kids.

"The Greens urge the States to reject A to E reporting all together and
stick to simple descriptive reports that do not label kids as failures
which will benefit of no one.

"No one opposes clear informative reporting but A to E does not deliver
that.

"The government's A to E grading idea is about appealing to that part of
the electorate whose only knowledge of the education sector is based on
their own school experience 20, 30 or 40 years ago and is not about the
interests of kids today."

Contact - Jon Edwards 0428 213 146