The administrative burden on teachers and schools has increased continuously and significantly over more than a decade. It places a substantial burden on schools and has many teachers questioning their commitment to the profession. But are we measuring the right things – particularly if what gets measured gets done.
Some of Australia’s top universities have started to refer to students as customers. Some regard this as a positive response, with universities having a long tradition of students being required to self-serve their own education from the available resources. The change makes the University more responsible for the student’s progress. But it is the change in measures that support the change in syntax that reveals the paradigm shift. Measuring quantity not quality of progression devalues the status of the outcome. A degree becomes something the customer buys rather than something the student achieves.
In a similar light the contrast between swimming lessons or judo classes and Australian schools is revealing. A child progresses through swimming classes or judo classes based on reaching levels of aptitude – leading to a consistent level of aptitude within each level. A child progresses through school based on age – leading to a diverse level of aptitude within each level. It is perhaps not surprising that NAPLAN results are falling on international comparison – if the other countries have students in a year level based on aptitude, then they are more likely to be able to perform in the test compared to students who are in a year level based on years at school.
Community expectations of schools extend beyond the academic, but how are schools measuring up? Again, the measures are important, what social skills and social standards are we trying to establish? What self-management and well-being capabilities are we hoping to create? How are these things going to be measured? Then how are these measures going to be improved?
Eddee have a 50 point checklist that it uses to measure the three critical factors that impact on school enrolments:
- A sense of belonging at the school
- Trust in the capability of the school
- Ability to pay for and rationalise fees
This helps to diagnose the schools current standing in the community and recommend how to address it. More information about this service can be found here on our website.