Gillard's new funding model: going, going, Gonski!

School autonomy is another area where the Gillard government fails to remain true to the Gonski. The report's belief that "All school leaders and their communities should be empowered to rethink the traditional mode in which schools operate" has fallen on deaf ears.

Under Gillard, as education minister and now Prime Minister, schools have suffered under a command and control model of education where all roads lead to Canberra. Expect that to get a lot worse if the government implements its National Plan for School Improvement.

Compare the ALP's approach to that of the Coalition and its clear that there are significant differences. As noted in his book Battlelines, Tony Abbott is committed to reducing intrusive bureaucratic interference and empowering school communities.

The Coalition also appears to agree with the statement in the Gonski report in chapter 5.1 that proper funding, while necessary, is not a sufficient condition leading to higher standards and stronger outcomes.

Based on recent speeches by both Abbott and Christopher Pyne it's clear that the Coalition agrees with the Gonski report's focus on the need for more effective teaching, stronger school leadership, more autonomous schools and a more rigorous curriculum.

On being interviewed at Forrest Primary School Gillard implied that the debate about standards was a "distraction". Nothing could be further from the truth.

The reality is that Australians schools will only improve when debates about funding also include identifying the most effective and proven ways to support teachers and schools, strengthen learning and improve outcomes.