SOUTH AUSTRALIAN CERTIFICATE OF EDUCATION

In reply to the Hon. T.A. FRANKS (16 September 2010).

The Hon. G.E. GAGO (Minister for Regional Development, Minister for Public Sector Management, Minister for the Status of Women, Minister for Consumer Affairs, Minister for Government Enterprises): The Minister for Education has advised that:

The future SACE Office and the SACE Board of South Australia are responsible for the professional development associated with the implementation of the new SACE. Throughout the implementation of the new SACE, grants for professional development have been provided to schools for teacher release to attend workshops across 2008 to 2010. Nearly $10 million has been allocated to professional development grants for schools across this period.

Implementation Officers, employed by the future SACE Office, each work with a group of schools and Principals to ensure all schools are confident in their readiness to implement Stage 2 of the new SACE in 2011. Tailored professional development and specific programs are being planned to meet the needs of individual schools. In addition, each of the school sectors is providing targeted support to schools in their sector that complements the work of the future SACE Office and SACE Board.

The professional development strategy also includes the provision of professional development workshops for teachers, middle managers and site leaders, and targeted pilot programs.

Professional development in 2010 has focused on:

Stage 2 new and revised subjects (which includes the Research Project);

the application of performance standards and school-based assessment training; and

modified subjects for students with severe disabilities.

In addition, $1.2 million was provided to schools in 2009 to undertake a pilot to support their preparation to teach the Research Project subject.

In 2009, there were over 10,500 registrations for professional development activities to support the implementation of the new SACE, with a number of teachers attending multiple workshops.

DECS is providing a helpline service that can be accessed by phone, fax, email and the internet. This service supports teachers developing learning and assessment plans for year 12 subjects in 2011, so plans can be approved after 3 December prior to the start of the 2011 school year.