Education Department drops controversial ratings system for public schools due to ‘misinterpretation’

The Education Department has dumped its own controversial rating system which had tagged some WA public schools as “needs improvement” — effectively covering up which schools are failing to meet crucial benchmarks. The Sunday Times revealed a year ago that about one in four schools reviewed in the first few months of a new accountability scheme had been rated as “needs improvement” because they did not meet the benchmarks to achieve a rating of “effective”. The figures showed that 43 out of 186 schools — or 23 per cent — had fallen short. After the schools assessed as needing improvement were listed in The Sunday Times last year, principals’ groups lobbied the department to change the review ratings because they believed the labels left schools open to the interpretation they were failing. Latest school review reports do not provide any ratings, just recommendations for improvement. The department said the process had changed and the public school review team was no longer giving a simple rating of “effective” or “needs improvement” because they were “open to misinterpretation”. In place of a label, the review team would carry out follow-up visits at agreed intervals. Under the process aimed at making schools accountable, all public schools are meant to be reviewed every three years, with reports published on their websites. So far this year, 73 schools have been reviewed. Another 151 scheduled for assessment had their review postponed because of COVID-19 restrictions. The department’s strategy and policy executive director Jim Bell said certain factors had a direct impact on student achievement and progress, such as quality teaching, school leadership, use of resources, relationships and a welcoming learning environment. “These form the basis of the standards that are used by the public school review team to understand how each school is going,” he said. “This process also provides an opportunity for us to learn from school staff members and share their innovative ideas with other schools. “It’s so important that every school, in every community, provides their students with the best possible education to set them up for successful lives.” Principals Federation of WA president Bevan Ripp said school leaders had welcomed the change to the review process, which took effect in recent months. He said the reviews were still a rigorous process for schools to go through. “We know that all schools can get better — no-one’s perfect,” Mr Ripp said. “So it’s more about what support can be brought to bear when it’s needed.” Rostrata Primary principal Barry France said the process had helped boost staff morale.