As a former science, IT and mathematics teacher, I welcome the release of the Special Report of the Auditor-General into science education in public high schools.
The Auditor-General’s report brings relief with regard to the issues of workforce supply and qualification, but that is where the good news ends.
The report paints a damning picture of the weak efforts being made by the Labor-Green Government to provide a quality science education to Tasmanian high school students.
In particular, he highlights:
- A science curriculum which is non-prescriptive and not consistently taught;
- A poor moderation process (where teachers compare student work and assessments to ensure consistent grading between schools)
- Substantial decline in proportion of students continuing with science in years 11 and 12
- Poor school science laboratory facilities
- Little evidence of a coordinated approach to strategic planning of science teaching at the departmental level
One of the most alarming statistics in report is that at high school – despite the fact that nearly all students study science each year, in a sample of 2000 students only around 60% are achieving at the minimum standards which makes our literacy and numeracy rates (around 90%) look good!
It is clear from this report that the Labor-Green Government has shown no effort to uphold the teaching of science. Consistent with my question-and-answer session with Minister Thorp during budget estimates, I look forward to an early response from the Government outlining the actions it will take to address this appalling scenario.
It was fascinating that today the Auditor-General provided a comprehensive briefing to all those with an interest in this issue. I was shocked to find that I was the only member of the House who turned up. Labor and the Greens clearly don’t think science education is of vital importance to the future of this state.
This report is a blessing in disguise: highlighting the massive level of underachievement occurring in high schools science has highlighted the massive opportunity to improve our economic and social wellbeing if we will address the problems.
The report is available at: http://www.audit.tas.gov.au/publications/reports/specialreport/index.html
