The Australian spirit supposedly thrives on fairness and a fair go for all. It's a value deeply ingrained in our national identity. Yet, when it comes to our schools, a disconcerting truth casts a shadow over this ideal: our education system is becoming increasingly segregated.
This isn't just about socioeconomic disparity, though it plays a significant role. It's about the growing concentration of disadvantage within certain schools, creating a system where a child's postcode can have an alarming impact on their educational outcomes.
Australia ranks poorly amongst OECD nations in terms of school segregation. This segregation has a direct impact on student achievement, with those from disadvantaged backgrounds facing greater learning hurdles when concentrated in schools with similar demographics. In fact, the gap between advantaged and disadvantaged students in Australia is equivalent to a staggering three years of schooling, according to OECD data.
There are compounding factors at play in Australia that mean concentrations of disadvantage in some schools and some communities are growing, and the policy problems are far from resolved.
Gonskis’ 2011 needs-based minimum "Schooling Resource Standard" is still not being met for most public schools, placing them at a disadvantage compared to their publicly subsidised private counterparts.
The argument that parents should be able to send their child to their school of ‘choice’ is not valid when that choice is too expensive, has unattainable thresholds for selectivity, or is simply too far away. Only some of our students can choose, in reality. This is further compounded by the rising cost of housing, and living in general, in many Australian cities, often limiting families' choices and leading to greater school segregation along socioeconomic lines.
The consequences of inaction are significant. Not only does school segregation perpetuate cycles of disadvantage, but it also undermines social cohesion. When students from diverse backgrounds aren't given the opportunity to learn and grow together, it hinders the development of an inclusive, resilient, fair, and fully productive society.
So, what can be done? How can we reclaim the fair go and begin to increase socio-economic diversity in our schools? The solutions require collaboration between governments, education sectors (all three of them!), educators, and communities.
Firstly, transparency is key. We need robust and consistent data on school segregation and its impact. The Australian Government Schools Funding Report should, as recommended by ASPA, measure and publicly report on:
The level of social segregation between schools.
The impact of this segregation on student wellbeing and academic achievement.
The accessibility and affordability of schools across all sectors.
The fiscal implications of government funding for non-government schools.
This data will provide a clearer picture of the issue and enable us to develop targeted interventions. For example, while countries like Finland have managed to reduce the variation in student performance between schools to less than 10%, in Australia, that figure sits at a concerning 31%. This suggests that a child's postcode continues to have an outsized influence on their educational journey, and this needs to change.
Secondly, funding models need to be revisited. We must ensure that all schools, regardless of location or demographics, are adequately resourced to meet the needs of their students. This includes addressing the funding gap between public and private schools and providing additional support for schools with high concentrations of disadvantage.
Thirdly, we need to review enrolment practices. This includes examining the role of public selective schools and exploring strategies to promote greater socioeconomic diversity within all schools. It should mean that any school that receives public money should be subject to consistent and fair levels of fee regulation, inclusive enrolment requirements, and restrictions on expulsions. If these conditions can’t be met, schools should opt out of public subsidy.
Finally, we need to address the broader societal factors contributing to school segregation. This includes tackling housing affordability issues and promoting greater social mobility.
The task ahead is not easy, but it is essential. We must remember that education is not just about imparting knowledge; it is about fostering a fairer and more equitable society. By tackling school segregation, we can ensure that every child, regardless of their background, has the opportunity to reach their full potential. This is a challenge we cannot afford to ignore.
I urge you to contact your elected officials, support organisations working for education equity, and engage in these critical conversations within your communities. Let's work together to build a more just and equitable education system for all Australian students.
-Andy Mison
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