description Terms of Reference (PDF, 117KB) Download a printable copy of the Terms of Reference.

Objectives

Tasmania’s education system has a critical role to play in ensuring Tasmanian children and young people gain the skills they need to lead their best lives and fully contribute to our community and economic future.

The Tasmanian Liberal Government wants a Tasmanian School System that:

• Implements evidence based whole of school practices and pedagogy that leads to improved student educational outcomes and behaviour;
• Delivers high quality teaching that is evidence based and meets the needs of students at all levels;
• Effectively utilises resources to improve student outcomes and attract and retain a high quality workforce;
• Contributes to the State’s productivity by supporting a highly skilled local workforce to assist local businesses and industry to grow and compete; and
• Is accountable for improved student outcomes, including in remote and rural areas.

This review is being undertaken to provide advice to the Tasmanian Government on evidence based, implementable and impactful reforms that will ensure our education system delivers on the above objectives over the next decade. All Tasmanians will have an opportunity to have their say on further improving our education system as part of the review.

Scope of the review

The review will include the government and non-government school sectors with a focus on Kindergarten to Year 12.

The review will focus on five themes:

1. Defining educational success
   We need to ensure that our education system has clearly agreed objectives that are transparently reported. What does success look like after the formal years of schooling in the Tasmanian context and how do we better encourage our young people to aspire to achieve?
2. Strengthening supports and engagement for all learners at all stages of their education
   How can we collectively support Tasmanian learners to get the most out of their entire education experience and ensure all students reach their potential?
3. Outcomes at the conclusion of the formal years of schooling
   Noting the specific challenges that emerge as young people progress through schooling; how can we improve attendance, retention, attainment and student outcomes to better support choice of learning and career pathways?
4. Support for our teaching workforce
   How do we attract, support and develop teachers and school leaders to be effective and successful practitioners who can confidently deliver high quality, evidence based teaching that meets the needs of students at all levels?
5. Accountability for improved outcomes
   How do we ensure that policy initiatives are implemented and resources are used to improve learning outcomes? This review will take into account relevant past and current reviews and policy initiatives.

Project governance

The review will be led by Ms Vicki Baylis, an independent, experienced and well respected Australian educator, who will provide a report, including recommendations addressing the Objectives and Terms of Reference to the Minister for Education.

Ms Baylis will be supported by a Secretariat, operating within the Office of the Independent Education Regulator.

Staging and timeframes

• August 2024: Terms of Reference released
• September – October 2024: Consultation
• December 2024: Report and recommendations provided to Government

Consultation

The review will include an opportunity for everyone, including children and young people, families and educators to share their views on the focus themes. A discussion paper will be released, as part of the consultation approach to help guide the conversation, allowing all interested individuals and groups to have input.

Who do we want to hear from?

Who is eligible to participate in the children and young people’s consultation?
All school-aged children and young people in Tasmania, including those

• attending, Catholic, independent or government schools,
• those in vocational education and training programs,
• those in apprenticeships,
• home-schooled students, and
• young people not currently enrolled in education, are encouraged to participate.

What is the children and young people’s survey about, and how can I complete it?
The survey is designed to gather feedback from young people on their educational experiences and aspirations. It takes about 5 minutes to complete and can be accessed online.

There is also an option to submit a creative response including artwork, poetry, or written reflections on the question:

Imagine yourself at the end of school.
What have you learned, what have you achieved, and who do you want to be?

Please note, we are unable to accept video submissions.

Can educators, parents/guardians, or community members participate?
Yes. The survey for educators, parents/guardians, and community members is open to anyone interested in the future of Tasmania’s education system. You don’t need to have a child currently in school to participate. The survey is based on the five key themes from the Terms of Reference.

We want to hear from every Tasmanian no matter who you are.

• Children and young people
  Whether you’re:
  • Attending a Catholic school
  • Attending an Independent school
  • Attending a Government school
  • Engaging in a home school program
  • Engaged in Vocational Education and Training (VET)Doing an Apprenticeship and/or traineeship
  • Working or doing something else.

• Parents and Guardians: We want to understand your perspectives on how the education system can better support your children and families, and the role you believe education plays in shaping their futures.

• Educators: we would like to hear from all sectors (government, catholic, independent schools)
  • Teachers
  • School Leaders (e.g., Principal, Deputy Principal)
  • Other educators (e.g., teacher assistants)
  • Professional Support Staff (e.g., Speech Pathologist, Psychologist, School Health Nurse)Retired / not currently working in school
  • Administrative and corporate education staff

• Interested Community Members: Whether or not you have children in the Tasmanian education system, or attended school in Tasmania yourself, your perspective is important. Education affects us all, and we welcome insights from those with an interest in shaping Tasmania’s future.

How can I provide my feedback to the Review?

There are several consultation opportunities for everyone. You can:

• Respond to the Consultation Paper 
  Submissions must be lodged by Sunday 13 October 2024
• Engage in consultation opportunities for Tasmanian children and young people
  submissions close October 27 October 2024
• Complete the survey for educators, families and community members
  submissions close October 27 October 2024

How do I submit my response to the Consultation Paper?

• You can submit your response by emailing it to contact@ier.tas.gov.au or mailing it to:
  GPO Box 104
  Hobart, Tasmania, Australia 7001
  Attention: Independent Education Review.
  
  Submissions must be received by Sunday, October 13, 2024.

Can I submit a response to the Consultation Paper anonymously or confidentially?

• Yes, if you would like your submission to remain confidential, please make this clear at the time of submission. The Review intends to publish submissions online but may withhold certain submissions or parts thereof due to appropriateness or confidentiality concerns.

What kind of submissions will be featured in the Final Report?

• Some creative submissions from children and young people may be featured in the Final Report. These will be selected based on the relevance and creativity of the responses, but personal identifying information will not be shared.
  
  Themes from submissions to the Consultation Paper and survey responses will be reflected in the Final Report, but individual submissions and survey responses will not.

What happens to the submissions to the Consultation Paper once they are received?

• The submissions may be published on the consultation webpage, unless confidentiality is requested. They will also inform the development of the Final Report, which will be presented to the Tasmanian Government.