Improvements in maths and numerical science demand transparency

ACER want tertiary institutions to be 'transparent' re entry procedures. I accept that, but such transparency must permeate everything in QCAA assessments. The external exam must be publicly available within a couple of months of it being set and taken. Marking schemes and method(s) to reach final result must also be available. All assessments set within schools must be available to parents and others concerned. Parents must be allowed, with ease, to see marked work of their child, whether that be a test or some other instrument. Students and parents should be able to keep copies of test papers.

So I add to my usual criteria defined, reliable and valid an extra essential: transparency.

The Minister of Education has decisions to make. I submit that in addition to the powerful democratically achieved outcome of the Parliamentary Inquiry there are other indications that things are moving in the right direction. Clearly the Wiltshire/Donnelly paper emphasised the total importance of Maths and English (the basic tools of course). They kept NAPLAN. The Senate Inquiry into NAPLAN left it unchanged.

I am convinced that with the application both in letter and spirit of the Parliamentary Inquiry's recommendations, taken in conjunction with improved work and learning up to Year 10 exit, there will be major improvements in Maths and the numerical Sciences. NAPLAN could be cheaply built on to provide data on 'value added' –a fair system.

We must assume that QCAA will drag the chain continuously. But with transparency it will be evident what is happening and rectification will be possible; probably by Regulation.

I thank the Parliamentary Inquiry members. They have done a fine job and in these cynical days shown the democracy really does work.