School Accountability Framework Review

Following an extended period of development, including substantial consultation with stakeholder groups, the School Accountability Framework (SAF) was released during 2002. In accordance with the Department’s Policy Development and Approval Process it is now due for review.

The SAF describes the fundamental commitments and key concepts on which it is based, presents the four policy points and explains each of its four components: schools plan; schools self-assess; schools produce a School Report; and district directors review schools.

Subsequent to the development of the SAF a draft School Review Framework was introduced in 2003. This document provided further detail in respect of the fourth component of the SAF – district directors review schools. Following completion of the 2003-4 review cycle further development work was undertaken to produce the School Review Framework 2005-2007, which was released in August, 2005.

Additional advice, tools and support documents have recently been made available through the School Accountability website.

The review presents an opportunity to build on the strengths of the current framework, address any weaknesses and consider new directions appropriate to the Western Australian context.

Terms of Reference

The terms of reference for the School Accountability Framework Review are:

To determine:

• the extent to which the overall intended outcomes of the framework have been achieved;
• the extent to which compliance has been achieved with the four policy statements and the specific components of the framework;
• the extent to which the current framework aligns with and fulfils current stakeholder expectations for school accountability;
• the national and international practices and trends relating to school accountability and how these may inform the WA context; and
• recommendations for any changes required to the current framework.

A Steering Committee will oversee the SAF Review. The Deputy Director General, Schools, is Chair of the Steering Committee and Corporate Executive sponsor for the review.

Stakeholder consultation has been undertaken through a Reference Group with forums held with specific groups.

Components of the Review

The review has three main components:

• an independent, external evaluation of the current School Accountability Framework;
• investigation of international and national practices and trends relating to school accountability; and
• stakeholder consultation relating to the findings of the evaluation, international and national research and possible future directions.

Independent External Evaluation

An indepenent, external evaluation of the School Accountability Framework was undertaken by Estill and Associates/Shelby Consulting. The final report was handed over to the Department in May, 2007.

Evaluation of the School Accountability Framework

National and International Practices

The following research papers have been developed on national and international perspectives and approaches to school accountability.

Executive Summary

National and International Perspectives and Approaches - Executive Summary

Summary Papers

Summary of Approaches to Government School Accountability in Australian States and Territories

Overview of Approaches to School Accountability, Improvement and Review

Current School Accountability Processes - England

Current Ofsted Processes - England

Current No Child Left Behind Processes - USA

Detail Papers

No Child Left Behind - USA

Additional Consultation

A paper providing a set of positioning statements has been prepared. The positioning statements are based on the findings of the first two components of the review. They establish directions for the future which will be discussed with stakeholder groups.

Steering Committee

Steering Committee Membership

Keith Newton - Deputy Director General, Schools (Chair)
Norma Jeffery - Executive Director, Policy, Planning and Accountability
Chris Cook - Executive Director, Curriculum Standards
Kevin O’Keefe - Executive Director, Schools
Alan Dodson - Director, Evaluation and Accountability
Gavin Morris - Manager, School Performance (Executive Officer)

Reference Group

Reference Group

Keith Newton - Deputy Director General, Schools (Chair)
Robert Fry - Western Australian Council of State School Organisations (WACSSO)
Jeff Macnish - Western Australian District High School Administrators’ Association (WADHSAA)
Jenny Cole - Western Australian Education Support Principals’ Association (WAESPA)
Colin Pettit - Western Australian Primary Principals’ Association (WAPPA)
Clyde Graham - Western Australian Secondary School Executives Association (WASSEA)
Michael Curtis - Western Australian Secondary Teaching Administrators’ Association (WASTAA)
Mike Keely - State School Teachers’ Union of Western Australia (SSTUWA)
Rod Baker - District Director Mid West District Education Office
Kim Dullard - District Director Fremantle – Peel District Education Office
Norma Jeffery - Executive Director, Policy, Planning and Accountability
Kevin O’Keefe - Executive Director, Schools
Margaret Collins - Executive Director, Schools
Alan Dodson - Director, Evaluation and Accountability
Gavin Morris - Manager, School Performance

Further Information

For further information please contact:
Alan Dodson - (alan.dodson@det.wa.edu.au)
Gavin Morris - (gavin.morris@det.wa.edu.au)