Experts call for ATAR equity measures

After education ministers from around Australia met, Dan Tehan has announced that states and the Commonwealth have agreed that students will graduate with ATARs and the cohort will not have to repeat the year.

But with a year 12 being conducted mainly at home, the problems of inequity that that might create need to be addressed. Some will have comfortable well-resourced home environments, some will not.

"Schools provide a fairer educational environment than homes", said Associate Professor Andrew Harvey an expert on students' pathways to university. "In 2020, some Year 12 students will study in comfortable houses with abundant resources, while others will endure sub-optimal accommodation with limited connectivity and support.

"One support may be an expansion of enabling programs, which are proven to prepare students well for university study. These courses are relatively short, tuition-free, and provide students with both general academic skills and disciplinary knowledge. The Australian Government could fund more enabling places, either directly or by allowing universities to reallocate places unused elsewhere."

Professor Vaille Dawson is an expert in science education and Deputy Head of School, Education, at the University of Western Australia's Graduate School of Education and agrees with Associate Professor Harvey's comments.

Professor Dawson also expressed relief at Victorian Education Minister James Merlino's earlier announcement that every student who needs a laptop or tablet there will receive one. "Every Year 12 student needs a laptop and WiFi, and really every Year 11 student too," said Professor Dawson.

However, she is still very concerned that many students may fall between the cracks. While there is much focus on ATAR, she points out that we also need to consider students who don't get an ATAR, and "those whose ATAR ends up being less than 60, or who choose to work, or who want to go to TAFE.

Professor Dawson argues for a four to six week extension of the school year: "While it's good that universities will offer catch-up sessions, what students really need is time learning with their teachers."

"The best equipped to assist students who are at academic risk are their teachers, who know their students, understand pedagogy, and understand adolescent well-being. That is why an extended year with less content is preferable. University doesn't start until the end of February. Teachers with the skills need to be involved in preparation, otherwise the attrition, and subsequent trauma, will continue."

Image by kiera.chan under flicr cc attribution license