Background of Independent Public Schools (IPS) in Queensland
The Queensland Independent Public School (IPS) program was introduced by the Newman LNP state government in 2012.
A 2015 review of the Queensland IPS program found no evidence of improvements in student outcomes attributable to the IPS program and highlighted significant negative consequences for human resource management within the Department and for schools not a part of the program. The Queensland Labor government responded with a review of the policy framework for IPS in 2016 and has committed to limit IPS to a maximum of 250 schools. These were welcome changes, with the QTU participating in the review of the policy framework.
The QTU is aware that IPS in Queensland contributes to significant problems with teachers and principals accessing transfers, relocations and permanent employment in the state school system as a whole.
A further evaluation of IPS, required by the 2016 policy framework, has just been completed and the outcomes were released on 25 October, 2018.
The report makes seven recommendations which provide a useful framework for addressing the widely held concerns about the impacts of the IPS initiative. One of the recommendations was the immediate implementation of changes to the Department’s human resource management system. The QTU is working with other stakeholders to develop an implementation plan for the recommendations for consideration by the Premier and her Cabinet.
QTU views on IPS
2018
- IPS action ballot results (from QTU Newsflash - 7 Dec 2018)
- IPS evaluation complete – real change in HR practices expected (QTU Newsflash - 19 Nov 2018)
- Union Reps can access information on how to conduct the ballot here
- A path to the future of school autonomy…finally (QTU President's comment - October 2018)
- Teachers' union flexes muscle over independent public schools (The Courier-Mail, 2 Aug 2018, subscriber content)
- Independent public schools review underway (Queensland Teachers' Journal - June 2018)
2017
- QTU Biennial Conference report (Queensland Teachers' Journal, 21 Jul 2017)
2015
- Taking stock of government (Queensland Teachers' Journal, 21 Aug 2015)
- Conference statement (QTU Biennial Conference, July 2015)
- IPS evaluation process nears completion (Queensland Teachers' Journal, July 2015)
- IPS: time for a re-think (Queensland Teachers' Journal, 5 Jun 2015)
- IPS (QTU Flare, Term 1, 2015)
2014
- IPS expressions of interest process (Queensland Teachers' Journal, 22 Aug 2014)
- QTU withdraws support for new IPS nominations (Queensland Teachers' Journal, 23 May 2014)
2012
- QTU Newsflash - IPS (18 Sep 2012)
MOA Independent public schools (IPS)
The QTU and the department signed a new memorandum of agreement (MOA) early in 2018
IPS policy framework
The key features of Independent Public Schools are explained in the IPS Policy Framework document, published by the Department of Education.
Links for QTU members
IPS action ballot results (from QTU Newsflash - 7 Dec 2018)
IPS evaluation complete – real change in HR practices expected (QTU Newsflash - 19 Nov 2018)
Evaluation of the Independent Public Schools Initiative : report, 2018 (Queensland government report, Oct 2018)
MOA - Independent public schools (IPS) (March 2018)
IPS policy framework (DoE 2016)
Links for Union Reps
IPS action ballot results (QTU Newsflash - 7 Dec 2018)
IPS evaluation complete – real change in HR practices expected (QTU Newsflash - 19 Nov 2018).