The Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Education Action Plan 2010-2014 (the Action Plan) released on Thursday, 9 June 2011, endorsed by COAG on 23 May 2011 commits all governments in Australia to a unified approach to closing the gap in education outcomes between Indigenous and non-Indigenous students.
The Action Plan was developed by the Ministerial Council for Education, Early Childhood Development and Youth Affairs as part of the Council of Australian Governments’ (COAG’s) reform agenda to improve life outcomes for all Indigenous Australians.
On 15 April 2010 Education Ministers agreed to a revised draft of the Action Plan which was provided to COAG for consideration, consistent with COAG’s decision of July 2009.
The Action Plan was developed with the support of stakeholders via a wide ranging consultation process which received over 100 submissions.
Federal, state and territory governments have all committed to the 55 actions detailed in the Action Plan which aim to accelerate improvements in the outcomes of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander children and young people right around the country, from those in the most remote areas, to large urban schools.
The Action Plan reflects commitments by governments to introduce substantial structural and innovative reforms in early childhood education and schooling as outlined in national agreements between all governments.
It identifies national, systemic and local level action in six priority domains that evidence shows will contribute to improved outcomes in Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander education.
The actions signed off on by all governments are linked to the following six priority domains that evidence shows will have the most impact on closing the gap:
- Readiness for school
- Engagement and connections
- Attendance
- Literacy and numeracy
- Leadership, quality teaching and workforce development
- Pathways to real post-school options.
A number of the actions under the Action Plan will be undertaken by a key group of schools called focus schools will implement the actions outlined in the Action Plan. These are schools with Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander primary school students with the greatest need and where efforts should be focussed to make the greatest difference.
Implementation of the actions agreed under the Action Plan will require flexibility from schools, education providers and governments in the ways they work together to achieve the agreed closing the gap targets. The Action Plan will be evaluated throughout its life, and the evaluation will be taken into consideration when developing recommendations around next steps in national collaboration in this important area.
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