The Focus School Next Steps Initiative is an Australian Government commitment of $30 million over two years to 2013 to directly assist around 100 specially selected schools across Australia to close the gaps. This investment will provide extra assistance to kick start the implementation of success factors aimed at lifting the attendance, engagement and educational achievement of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander students.
Schools participating in the initiative have already been nominated by education systems and associations of independent schools. The initiative is not open to any other schools.
The Department has contracted the Stronger Smarter Institute within the Queensland University of Technology to administer the initiative across Australia.
Stronger Smarter Institute, led by Dr Chris Sarra, will work with education providers, participating schools and their local community to agree on resource and action a plan to make measurable progress towards improving the outcomes of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander students. Known success factors for improved attendance, engagement and learning outcomes include high quality teachers and school leaders that deliver responsive and innovative learning approaches tailored to local circumstances; and schools that are responsive to their local community and involve parents and carers in decisions about their children’s learning.
The Next Steps Plans will guide the utilisation of schools’ funding through a number of options including the provision of extra training, extra resources, or through the temporary employment of extra staff by schools.
Towards the end of 2013 information will be collected on the most successful strategies employed by participating schools. The Stronger Smarter Institute will compile a report on this information during 2014. The Australian Government hopes this information will be a valuable resource as school communities consider plans to lift the outcomes for Aboriginal and Torres Strait islander children and young people.
Minister Garrett’s media release contains further information on the initiative including a list of schools that will be invited to participate in the initiative.