Our state students are in good shape

CASH-strapped state schools still pack a punch when it comes to providing quality education for our kids.

The national Naplan literacy and numeracy results have revealed public secondary schools are maintaining close to average or above average levels of education despite the funding stretch.

But experts have warned parents not to read too much into the raw data, with some concerned it paints an inaccurate picture.

"Parents need to be careful about drawing conclusions around the school programs on the basis of these results," teachers union boss Mary Bluett said.

"It is not a terribly accurate measure. Parents making decisions around where to send their kids would be better served by going to the school."

But Ms Bluett said the survey did show government schools were kicking goals.

"It shows there are a lot of schools out there with a high proportion of students from disadvantaged backgrounds that are delivering great outcomes," she said.

Victorian Association of State Secondary Principals president Frank Sal said the figures showed kids didn't need a private education to do well.

"It's difficult to wonder how a school can offer the same level of education when their resources are so much lower," Mr Sal said.

"I don't know that they are necessarily excelling but I think they are definitely demonstrating improvement at significant levels," he said.

"It's really up to governments to ensure resources are pumped into those schools and they are supported so all kids can get a fantastic education."

Education Minister Martin Dixon said the survey was a good snapshot.

"It's one good indication of what's happening in our schools," he said.

"The results thrown up are just one measure but in the end nothing beats a walk through the corridors."

Mr Dixon said it was proof state schools were not only providing high academic results but were also working with children from low socio-economic backgrounds and turning their lives around.

"They may not have the high scores but they are having a really positive influence," he said.

Charlton College principal Kelvin Baird said the level of funding mattered little when it came to school culture.

The flood-affected school notched up some of the best results in the state, out-performing many selective entry schools.

"Money isn't a factor," Mr Baird said. "It's about the teachers' passion to develop each student to their capacity.

"It hasn't occurred over night but we have a strong culture of achievement and high expectations."

heraldsun.com.au 29 Feb 2012

So called 'new' reports are falsified to the tune of a political agenda, not necessarily reflecting the true status of the education system.

The true fact is that the government or state school education system is failing the students, but rather producing future cheap blue collar worker slave labour.