Queensland Education Performance Review

The Premier commissioned Professor Geoff Masters, Chief Executive Officer of the Australian Council for Educational Research, to review Queensland's curriculum and educational standards for primary schools.

The review followed poor results in the 2008 National Assessment Program - Literacy and Numeracy (NAPLAN).

Literacy and numeracy are the foundations of all learning and Education Queensland aims to lift performance to give children the best chance.

Professor Masters' report focused on literacy, numeracy and science learning in Queensland primary education.

His final report, A Shared Challenge: Improving Literacy, Numeracy and Science Learning in Queensland Primary Schools (new window) 1.3M , was presented to the Premier of Queensland Anna Bligh and Education and Training Minister Geoff Wilson on 1 May 2009.

The report contains five key recommendations to improve the performance of Queensland primary schools in literacy, numeracy and science. They are:

That all aspiring primary teachers be required to demonstrate through test performances, as a condition of registration, that they meet threshold levels of knowledge about the teaching of literacy, numeracy and science and have sound levels of content knowledge in these areas.
That the Queensland Government introduces a new structure and program of advanced professional learning in literacy, numeracy and science for primary school teachers.
That additional funding be made available for the advanced training and employment of a number of 'specialist' literacy, numeracy and science teachers to work in schools (and/or district offices) most in need of support.
That standard science tests be introduced at Years 4, 6, 8 and 10 for school use in identifying students who are not meeting year-level expectations and for monitoring student progress over time.
That the Queensland Government initiates an expert review of international best practice in school leadership development with a view to introducing a new structure and program of advanced professional learning for primary school leaders focused on effective strategies for driving improved school performances in literacy, numeracy and science.

Queensland government response

On 29 June the Queensland Government released the Government Response (new window) 48k which addresses all five recommendations of Professor Geoff Masters' Queensland Education Performance Review.

Submissions received during the public consultation process held in May 2009 were carefully considered in developing the response.

The Department of Education and Training will coordinate the implementation of the response. In late 2009, the Government will publish a progress report on the implementation of the Government's response to Professor Masters' report.

For further information you can contact the project team via email at qepr@deta.qld.gov.au.

Related information

Background to the Queensland Education Performance Review
Preliminary report
Access to 2008 NAPLAN materials

^ Top of page