Strong ACT student outcomes in 2010-11

077/11

ACT students are leading the nation in many measures of academic performance, student participation and retention rates and in year 12 graduate outcomes, according to the ACT Directorate of Education and Training’s Annual Report 2010-2011.

In April 2011, the third National Assessment Program – Literacy and Numeracy (NAPLAN) report confirmed that ACT students in years 3, 5, 7 and 9 achieved the best results of any jurisdiction in Australia in most areas of reading, writing, language and numeracy.

The ACT also leads the nation in attainment of a year 12 certificate or equivalent. In the ACT 90 per cent of 20-24 year olds have attained a year 12 or equivalent qualification compared to the national average of 85 per cent.

The annual report also shows that in the past year we have made significant steps in closing the learning gap for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander students within the ACT.

Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander students in the ACT achieved above the national minimum standard in all subject areas and age groups of the NAPLAN test.

The number of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander students who continued their education from year 10 to year 12 has improved too – from 85 per cent of all students in 2009 to 94 per cent in 2010. The 85 per cent of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander students in those years achieved a Year 12 or Vocational Education and Training (VET) certificate in 2010.

In VET, we exceeded our targets for student participation rates in programs such as the Australian School-based Apprenticeships (ASBAs). In 2010, 524 students commenced ASBAs. This was a 30 per cent increase on 2009 numbers.

The ACT Labor Government is committed to the continual improvement of our education system to ensure Canberra students continue to receive the best education in the nation.