At a MCEETYA meeting today, education ministers endorsed a new set of protocols (Principles and Protocols for Reporting on Schooling in Australia, June 2009) to inform the release of school performance data.

This replaces the previous protocols developed in July 2008 (Principles and Protocols for the Collection and National Reporting of MCEETYA Key Performance Measures for Schooling in Australia).

One of the most significant points of difference in the new set of protocols is the omission of the following “ethical principle”:

The avoidance of harm to members of the community: this could occur where the privacy of individuals would be compromised or where the reputation of an institution or group of people would be damaged through the publication of misleading information or stereotyping.

“By omitting this principle, education ministers have conceded that there will be 'harm' to individuals and schools as a result of the creation and publication of league tables.  

“Worse still, they failed to introduce any measures to stop the creation and publication of league tables, despite their opposition to simplistic league tables.

“The damage to curriculum provision, students and entire school communities caused by league tables is well-documented in international research and evidence.

“Research also shows that league tables create greater inequality and increased segregation in schooling,” AEU Federal President, Angelo Gavrielatos said.

For more information, please contact: AEU Federal President, Angelo Gavrielatos on 0488 012 045 or Kate Rielley on 0414 873 625.