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House of Assembly - Fifty-First Parliament, Third Session (51-3)
2009-04-28 Daily Xml
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SOUTH AUSTRALIAN CERTIFICATE OF EDUCATION

The Hon. L. STEVENS (Little Para) (16:25): My question is directed to the Minister for Education. What support is being provided to help teachers prepare for the new South Australian Certificate of Education that is being introduced into secondary schools from this year?

The Hon. J.D. LOMAX-SMITH (Adelaide—Minister for Education, Minister for Mental Health and Substance Abuse, Minister for Tourism, Minister for the City of Adelaide) (16:25): I thank the member for Little Para; she has a keen interest in education and young people's attainment, not just in her electorate but throughout the state. As members are aware, the new SACE is being introduced to all Catholic, independent and government schools with students involved in years 10, 11 and 12.

The year 10 students this year are now taking part in the first new subject which is called a personal learning plan. This subject is particularly important and is compulsory. It helps students map out their subjects for years 11 and 12 but, more importantly, for the longer term with their career goals being mapped in a concrete and discernible way. This new subject is part of a significant reform of the senior secondary education system to ensure that more young people complete 12 years of secondary education and lift their skills and level of qualifications.

The need to gain higher level qualifications and be effectively equipped for the future is particularly significant in our current global economic climate. The state government has worked with schools, further education and tertiary sectors to invest $54.5 million to support this new program. Of course, teachers play a central role in helping students to develop their skills and attributes for the future. That is why a large proportion of the funds is being spent on professional development.

Since 2007 the government has invested more than $10 million in professional development for teachers and for trialling the new SACE subjects before they are introduced. This has involved forums, workshops and conferences progressively involving and informing teachers so that they are well prepared to teach and help in the assessment of their students.

This year the investment amounts to $3.2 million towards a range of professional development programs for teachers. For example, in the first few weeks of this school term conferences for all SACE coordinators are being conducted throughout the state. There are workshops at various locations during May and June for subject teachers, including English, English as a second language and mathematics, whilst other professional development programs later this term will focus on assessment processes and grades for the new SACE subjects.

The first students to undertake the new SACE assessment will graduate in 2011 and further professional development support will be provided for our teachers until that time. Meanwhile, I commend South Australia's teachers, coordinators, principals and others, and all school sectors for their passionate commitment to the reform process and helping young people to achieve their best.

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