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Indigenous Education Support Structures

The Indigenous Education Support Structures (IESS) pilot is a cross-sectoral initiative aimed at boosting educational outcomes for Indigenous students. The four year (2008-mid 2011) pilot has focussed on working with Aboriginal and Torres Strait students, their teachers and families to improve student attendance, achievement and school completions levels.

As part of the IESS pilot state school teams were established in five cluster sites — Mt Isa, Cairns, Rockhampton, Ipswich and Cunnamulla-Charleville. The pilot has been modelled on the highly successful Spinifex State College tutorial assistance and student support strategy.

Each cluster has used local data to identify targets and strategies to provide a locally focussed approach to improving educational outcomes, workforce capacity and leadership in Indigenous education. Ongoing professional development has assisted in strengthening each cluster 's support team, developing skills and establishing links among the five clusters.

Evidence and feedback to date suggests that, while there are still challenges, some progress has been made towards improving outcomes for Indigenous students in attendance, achievement and retention. Strong networks developed within and across the clusters have contributed to this.

The following six success stories highlight good practice in the local context and the value of making strong connections with local Indigenous communities.

The pilot concludes in 2011, however schools are looking at ways to continue or embed the practices they have found most successful.

For further information, contact the Project Officer on (07) 3237 1298.

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This page was last reviewed on 09 Dec 2010