A comprehensive review to provide the Western Australian State Government with advice, recommendations and options to strengthen pathways from secondary school so all students can fulfil their learning potential and transition into further education, training and/or work.
The review will:
- explore the efficacy of pathways into and beyond secondary school in preparing young people for further education, training and/or work
- investigate whether current certification and university entry requirements assist students to make the study choices that are right for them to develop the skills and knowledge they need to access the most appropriate pathways into further education, training and/or work
- investigate barriers to students being able to access equitable pathways, particularly for students from rural and remote areas, Aboriginal students, students from culturally and linguistically diverse backgrounds, students with a disability and potential early school leavers.
In undertaking the review and developing options and recommendations, consideration should be given to:
- applications of potential pathways across all schooling sectors in WA, including public, Catholic and independent schools
- the needs of higher education, vocational education and training, employers and communities
- emerging practices in WA (and elsewhere), including credentialing approaches
- inclusive practices and the particular needs of Aboriginal students, those from rural and remote areas, students from culturally and linguistically diverse backgrounds, students with a disability and other students at risk of not making a successful transition from school to further education, training and/or work
- promising, innovative and/or ambitious practices in other jurisdictions in Australia and beyond
- future proofing approaches given wider and national conversations about the future of ATAR
- practicalities and implementation approaches for any relevant reform.
At its conclusion, the review will provide a final list of recommended options and potential timelines for implementation.
The review will undertake a two-stage consultation process:
- an open-ended public consultation process, which will seek to clarify and define the problem and identify potential reform options
- a more targeted consultation process with experts and key stakeholders on specific reform options, including determination of preferred approaches.
The review will be undertaken through, and comprised of, three core components:
- a small expert panel that will steer the review and endorse its findings and recommended options
- a larger advisory committee comprised of representatives of the key stakeholder groups, which will provide direction for the review and validate its findings and recommended options
- a secretariat that will manage the logistics of the review, including the consultation process, meetings and papers for the expert panel and the advisory committee, and delivery of the final report.
The review will commence in April and conclude by 1 October 2024.
A final report including the review’s advice, recommendations and options should be provided to the Minister for Education by 1 October 2024.