WACSSO provides advice and services to more than 650 Parents and Citizens Associations (P&Cs) in Western Australia, and we proudly represent the voice of public school parents to decision-makers and organisations at the State and National levels. We believe all children in Western Australia should have access to a world-class education.
WACSSO supports this week’s announcement from the School Curriculum and Standards Authority (SCSA) regarding the WACE reforms and a change to WACE achievement requirements for high school students studying ATAR subjects. It is in line with our Organisation’s policy, which informs our advocacy efforts, that states students should have choice when it comes to training and models of delivery, and that they should be provided with opportunities to succeed and thrive. WACSSO hopes the reforms will encourage student to take-up ATAR subjects, with confidence that they will be supported to achieve their WACE.
“Our policy states that students should have the widest possible choice of education and training pathways and modes of delivery, while also asserting that different learning environments are required to suit the needs of students,” says WACSSO President, Pania Turner. “This move is a positive one for students as it will open up more opportunities for them. We disagree with the narrative that this will dumb down the ATAR pathway. This reform appropriately acknowledges the level of study required in ATAR subjects,” she added.
In our representative role, WACSSO continues to hear from parents that students are experiencing high levels of stress in relation to their ATAR studies, and that this stress impacts student wellbeing. “It is important to our Organisation, and to our affiliates, that the depth and rigour of the ATAR pathway is acknowledged. It is also important that our public schools provide a number of pathways for student success and achievement. Now that this decision has been made and communicated to schools, we urge school leaders to ensure parents are appropriately informed so they can support their child in an informed way, as they navigate upper secondary school,” says Pania.
On August 23-24 this month, WACSSO will hold its annual Conference, which attracts 400 delegates from across Western Australia. This event will provide opportunities for WACSSO affiliates to hear the latest updates on public education, such as this latest reform, directly from the Minister and the Director General. More information on this event, the program and the advocacy agenda shaped by delegates via our AGM agenda items can be found here.