What we're concerned about is the creation and publication of league tables, damaging league tables, that will now only be one click away as a result of the website.ĮLEANOR HALL: Can you spell out for me, we've heard a lot about league tables, can you spell out what exactly is the problem with them?ĪNGELO GAVRIELATOS: Well the overwhelming body of research from overseas tells us that the creation and publication of league tables damages education by way of narrowing curriculum and overemphasis on the tests themselves and also deepens inequality and segregation in the provision of schooling. But it will give them a source of information that they are generally looking forward to I think.ĮLEANOR HALL: Angelo Gavrielatos, parents want more information, why is the union so opposed to giving it to them?ĪNGELO GAVRIELATOS: I think we need to be clear about that, we don't oppose a parent's right to know, we don't oppose a parent's right to more quality information and we've never challenged that assertion from the Government. So as I say, the MySchool website won't replace parents going to schools, getting a feel for what the school's like, having a talk to teachers, having a talk to other parents. IAN DALTON: Well I think generally that they'll use it as a part of their arsenal for looking at the way, at either potential schools for their children or for the way that their current schools are performing, but you know, nothing's going to take, we generally find when we do research among parents as to what they want from schools that a lot of the stuff that they're looking for is more around relationships and stuff that's harder to measure. There are some things that will have to be closely monitored as it's wound out but generally we think that it's a good move.ĮLEANOR HALL: What would parents do with that information? We've had quite a strong response from a number of parents who have expressed their support for the move towards the MySchool website and I think that generally there's agreement with what Dr Jensen said earlier, that parents believe that the MySchool website is a step in the right direction. IAN DALTON: Yes Eleanor they certainly are telling us that. He joins us in Launceston.įirst to you Ian Dalton, what are parents telling you about this website? Would they like to have more information about their children's schools? He is the executive director of the Australian Parents Council, a national federation of non-government school parents' organisations. He joins us also in Melbourne.Īnd representing the key target group of this website is Ian Dalton. Professor Barry McGaw is the chair of the Australian Curriculum Assessment and Reporting Authority which created the site.
Angelo Gavrielatos is the President of the Australian Education Union, he has been a vocal critic of the Federal Government's MySchool website and he joins us in Melbourne.
ELEANOR HALL: Well let's hear now from some influential players in the education system explaining their position on this controversial website.
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