RFT to Develop Guiding Principles for School-Business Relationships
In response to recommendation seven of the Roundtable’s report (see below for more details), the Government has commissioned PhillipsKPA, in partnership with the Australian Business Community Network, to implement a stakeholder-driven process to develop guiding principles for school-business relationships that are voluntary and supportive, encourage good practice and emphasise mutual benefit.This project is expected to conclude by 30 August 2012.
Further details on this project will be available in early 2012.
RFT to Develop Guide for Evaluating School-Business Relationships
In response to recommendation eight of the Roundtable’s report (see below for more details), the Government has commissioned the Australian Council for Educational Research (ACER) to develop a guide to evaluating school-business relationships in order to support partners to review their progress, to develop deeper partnerships, and to strengthen the research base on school-business relationships. This project is expected to conclude by 30 June 2012.
The Roundtable’s Report, Realising Potential: Businesses Helping Schools to Develop Australia’s Future, has been released.
On 9 May 2011 the Minister for School Education, Peter Garrett, released the report Realising Potential: Businesses Helping Schools to Develop Australia’s Future, prepared by the Roundtable, and announced the Australian Government’s response.
The Roundtable’s report highlights the importance of a whole-of-community approach to supporting young people in their learning and development to ensure that all young Australians reach their full potential. The report outlines a practical strategy to engage business as a partner in the achievement of improved educational outcomes and ensure all schools can benefit from a connection with business.
The Government recognises the importance and benefits of a collaborative approach to fostering school-business relationships. The Government is keen to work alongside education authorities, businesses, schools and students to support the implementation of the Roundtable’s recommendations and to continue the momentum for change created by the Roundtable.
Realising Potential: Businesses Helping Schools to Develop Australia’s Future, the Government’s response and related media release are available below. Hard copies of the report are also available on request (please email BusinessSchoolConnections@deewr.gov.au).
The Business-School Connections Roundtable was established by the Australian Government in February 2010 to develop a practical strategy to ensure that all schools can benefit from a connection with business. The Roundtable operated for twelve months, with representatives from the business, education and community sectors. It was chaired by Mr Michael Ullmer, Deputy Group CEO of the National Australia Bank.
Supporting Documentation
A research project was commissioned to establish baseline evidence on current school-business relationships across Australia. It also described the challenges and issues which school-business relationships face, drawing on new Australian research that was commissioned specifically to inform the Roundtable’s work. The report and its appendices are available below.
PhillipsKPA final report and appendices
The Roundtable released a Discussion Paper in June 2010 that summarised the context in which schools and businesses enter into relationships and the benefits of these arrangements, and challenges and issues which school-business relationships face.
Research conducted by the Australian Council for Educational Research (ACER) showed the benefits that school-business relationships can bring, and how the existing evidence base might be strengthened. Some of the research findings have been incorporated into the Roundtable’s final report.
If you have any questions regarding the Roundtable, please email BusinessSchoolConnections@deewr.gov.au.