The Education 2010 report released today by the COAG Reform Council reveals that Australian students are recording better results in literacy and numeracy tests, and the goal of a 90 per cent Year 12 or equivalent attainment rate is on track.

School Education Minister Peter Garrett said the report showed the Gillard Government’s record $65.6 billion investment in school education was having a positive effect in Australian classrooms, but there is still work to do in some areas.

“After years of under-investment in schools by the Howard Government, our commitment to giving every kid access to a great education is bearing fruit,” he said.

“The CRC report on our National Education Agreement targets notes that average scores for Years 3 and 7 reading and Year 5 numeracy increased across the country, which is a very positive result.

“Literacy and numeracy are the essential foundation skills for a good education, which is why we’re investing $540 million to fund more than 1000 schools across the country under the Literacy and Numeracy National Partnership.”

Mr Garrett said the report also noted that Australia is on track to meet COAG’s target of increasing Year 12 or equivalent attainment rates to 90 per cent by 2015.

The report showed the proportion of 20-24 year olds with a Year 12 or Certificate II qualification or equivalent nationally was 85.6 per cent in 2010, up from 84.5 per cent in 2009.

It also found that while progress was being made towards COAG’s Closing the Gap targets for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander students, there are areas where more effort is needed.

“The report finds that Indigenous students are improving in their reading and writing, with interim targets being met for students in Years 3, 5 and 7,” Mr Garrett said.

“Unfortunately the results for maths aren’t as strong and more attention is needed in this area.

“The report also makes clear that overall school attendance by Indigenous students, particularly high school students, is still at an unacceptably low level.

“We all share a responsibility to improve this. While schools have to support and better accommodate Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander students, it is crucial that parents ensure the importance of schooling is communicated very clearly to their children.”

Mr Garrett said while Australian students recorded some of the best results in the OECD, performing above the OECD average in 2009 for literacy, maths and science, our scores in international testing in reading and maths declined between 2001 and 2009.

“This is one of the reasons the Labor Government made investing in our schools a top priority. Australian students deserve access to a quality education regardless of their family background or where they live,” he said.

“While the Commonwealth does not play a direct role in the day-to-day operation of schools, we’ve led the way with national reforms such as MySchool and NAPLAN, National Professional Standards, Empowering Local Schools and the Australian Curriculum.

“Earlier this year the OECD gave our school reform agenda the tick of approval, and we will continue rolling out the improvements we need to help make every school a great school.

“We should always remember statistics aren’t just numbers on a graph. They represent Australian kids at school, every one of whom has the right to an excellent education which helps them fulfil their potential and be happy and productive members of society.”

For more information visit http://www.coagreformcouncil.gov.au.