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How the parties rate - Queensland election 2006 |
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Key issues - education* |
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Labor |
Coalition |
| Student behaviour |
Results definitely improving, with the announcement of three new positive learning centres (to raise the total to 14), plus recent work on strengthening codes of conduct for students.
Achievement - B
Effort & behaviour - A |
Student behaviour policies contain no substance, and include plans to hand over responsibility to parents for setting behaviour standards in individual schools.
Achievement - C
Effort & behaviour - C |
| Students with special needs |
Needs work in this area to ensure teacher and teacher-aide hours meet student enrolments and needs, though has shown some willingness to listen to local campaigns.
Achievement - C
Effort & behaviour - D |
Fails to apply proper attention to this issue. Little evidence of achievement or policies.
Achievement - D
Effort & behaviour - D |
| Fair funding for state schools |
Has lifted game in last budget to deliver more funds for state schools. Has very sound understanding that public funds should be spent on public schools, where most of Queensland’s children are educated.
Achievement - B
Effort & behaviour - B |
Supports unfair federal funding policies. Appears to have difficulty grasping the concept of overall funding for state vs private schools. Follows federal government line of ‘choice’ in education which bleeds funds from state schools.
Achievement - E
Effort & behaviour - D |
| Facilities |
Not a good track record but the 2006 budget’s ‘Tomorrow’s schools’ initiative ($850million over five years) for improving state school facilities is a great improvement.
Achievement - C
Effort & behaviour - B |
No clear policy. Seems obsessed with the asbestos issue to the exclusion of any other.
Achievement - D
Effort & behaviour - C |
| Class sizes and staffing |
Has delivered class size targets agreed with teachers in 2003/4, and delivered a budget catering for 474 new teachers. Will add another 270 teachers in 2007 to further address this issue.
Achievement - B
Effort & behaviour - A |
No clear policy. Is maintaining a very narrow focus on prep staffing, while ignoring the other 12 years of schooling.
Achievement - C
Effort & behaviour - C |
| Remote Area Incentive Scheme |
Delivered long-awaited improvements in last budget and EB round, such as a 10% increase in the funding pool and an annual review of benefits, including indexation, as well as improvement in AMP centres.
Achievement - B
Effort & behaviour - B |
National Party influence would suggest a good score for this issue: however, federally-influenced Liberal policies around performance-based pay and local hiring and firing will negate any incentives for rural and remote teachers.
Achievement - C
Effort & behaviour - C |
| The Prep. year |
Deserves credit for next year’s introduction of the prep year, though had to be persuaded by the joint QTU/LHMU campaign to increase teacher-aide hours to the acceptable level planned for 2007.
Achievement - B
Effort & behaviour - B |
Lacking in big picture policies and coherent arguments (see class sizes and staffing).
Achievement - D
Effort & behaviour - D |
| TAFE |
Improved track record in recent EB negotiations. Still problems at local Institute level.
Achievement - B
Effort & behaviour - B |
Last effort when in power was poor. Seems to support federal approach.
Achievement - C
Effort & behaviour - C |
| Consultation |
Showed a willingness to consult the QTU when developing and implementing educational initiatives, and has successfully resisted any temptation to force through changes.
Achievement - A
Effort & behaviour - A |
Easily bullied by colleagues in the federal government. Recent announcements on compulsory English show tendencies towards heavy-handed interference in the classroom. Not a good track record when last in power.
Achievement - E
Effort & behaviour - E |
*Note: the A-E reporting used here may upset and demoralise the poor performers.
Achievement codes: A = very high achievement; B = high achievement; C = sound achievement; D = low achievement; E = very low achievement.
Effort & behaviour codes: A = excellent; B = very good; C = satisfactory; D = needs attention; E = unacceptable. |
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Authorised by John Battams, Queensland Teachers' Union, 21 Graham St Milton 4064 |
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