“Quicklook” Assessment of Greater Adelaide's Assets & Challenges ...

Interview Team
• Robert Meyer, Team Leader
• Amy Blakely
• Adrienne Hughto
• David Schieck
• Jane Schueler
EDUCATION
Who we met with
The team’s main interview session was held on Monday the 9 th July with various
representatives from the Department of Education Training and Employment (DETE)
and the Vocational Education Training sector. During the week though, numerous
informal discussions were conducted with various individuals, including representatives
from Adelaide University, concerning this topic and its vital importance to fostering
change.
Because of the focus of this research study on technology growth and entrepreneurship,
this summary evaluation of Education is centered on the areas of technology and
enterprise, as they are vital to the South Australian (SA) economy.
Opportunities
• Because of funding subsidies, it is sometimes easier to get students from outlying
areas involved in programs at the Technology School of the Future than those from
nearby schools. DETE and the affected schools should try and find ways to increase
participation by these inner city schools. This will have substantial payoffs for the
community, students and schools involved.
• South Australia (SA) recently shortened the school year by one week to allow
additional teacher training. While this is one example of the Administration’s
commitment to teacher training, with the advancement of technology initiatives to
include computer literacy for teachers as well as a new curriculum for all years, it is
important that the Administration maintain continuous training programs and
implement high outcome measures for teachers to deliver a quality education to the
student.
• With the new curriculum to be student/parent focused, it is important that those
professionals assisting students in choosing their career path are well educated in
goal setting, parent counseling and career opportunities through vocational programs
as well as educational opportunities within each university.
• While efforts should continue to expose SA teachers to learning and training
opportunities outside the State as well as internationally, focus should also be
directed at spreading the word to teachers in all SA schools about some of the world
class technology oriented teachers and programs within the State.
• DETE is implementing a new curriculum to be in effect at the end of this year
(South Australian Curriculum, Standards and Accountability (SACSA) Framework). It
is important that educators in the university setting be versed in this initiative and
ideally teaches the educational theory used in SA. Doing so would provide a bridge
for older teachers and new teachers entering into the profession.
• To encourage the development of new entrepreneurial approaches and programs
every effort should be made to adapt flexible approaches to administrative
procedures and human resource policies.
Case Studies
Enterprise Education Program (Mypolonga Primary School example)
COMMERCIAL IN CONFIDENCE
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