Like what you've read?

On Line Opinion is the only Australian site where you get all sides of the story. We don't
charge, but we need your support. Here�s how you can help.

  • Advertise

    We have a monthly audience of 70,000 and advertising packages from $200 a month.

  • Volunteer

    We always need commissioning editors and sub-editors.

  • Contribute

    Got something to say? Submit an essay.


 The National Forum   Donate   Your Account   On Line Opinion   Forum   Blogs   Polling   About   
On Line Opinion logo ON LINE OPINION - Australia's e-journal of social and political debate

Subscribe!
Subscribe





On Line Opinion is a not-for-profit publication and relies on the generosity of its sponsors, editors and contributors. If you would like to help, contact us.
___________

Syndicate
RSS/XML


RSS 2.0

Education: Choice? What choice?

By Jane Caro - posted Friday, 31 July 2009


So, by what fruits shall we judge 30 years of funding private schools?

Retention rates have stalled and may be slipping backwards.

Results are static or declining, are predicated on social class and we have one of the largest gaps in the OECD between our highest and lowest performing students.

Advertisement

Unconscionably, we seem to be using our public funding to exacerbate that gap rather than narrow it.

And we are only giving more choice to those who already have lots of it. Worse, we appear to be prioritising the right of better off parent’s to their personal choice of school over the right of our poorest and most vulnerable children to an excellent and properly funded education.

Maybe you can make all that sit comfortably with your conscience, but I can’t.

  1. Pages:
  2. 1
  3. 2
  4. Page 3
  5. All

Presentation at the IQ2 debate on June 25, 2009 by Jane Caro, third speaker for the affirmative.



Discuss in our Forums

See what other readers are saying about this article!

Click here to read & post comments.

52 posts so far.

Share this:
reddit this reddit thisbookmark with del.icio.us Del.icio.usdigg thisseed newsvineSeed NewsvineStumbleUpon StumbleUponsubmit to propellerkwoff it

About the Author

Jane Caro is a Sydney writer with particular interests in women, families and education. She is the convenor of Priority Public. Jane Caro is the co author with Chris Bonnor of The Stupid Country: How Australia is Dismantling Public Education, published in August 2007 by UNSW Press.

Other articles by this Author

All articles by Jane Caro

Creative Commons LicenseThis work is licensed under a Creative Commons License.

Photo of Jane Caro
Article Tools
Comment 52 comments
Print Printable version
Subscribe Subscribe
Email Email a friend
Advertisement

About Us Search Discuss Feedback Legals Privacy