In 2022,schools ranked in the lower quartile in the offered just seven ATAR courses,compared to the 19 offered in the upper quartile.
The median number on offer was 13. At least one school offered 33 choices,and another offered none.
The findings were released in a discussion paper for the,commissioned by Education Minister Tony Buti in June.
It stated that providing a range of subjects,so students could choose ones they were interested in,would maximise the chances of them engaging with school.
“The fact that the breadth of ATAR courses differs depending on a school’s[social advantage score],geography and size may be inconsistent with the objective of reflecting diversity and uniqueness and ensuring system integrity,if the result is that certain cohorts of students do not have equitable opportunities,” it said.
The report states multiple factors were considered by schools when deciding which courses to offer,including student demand,staff availability and resourcing.
Demand is a clear issue for schools in the lower quartiles,with 22 per cent of students choosing an ATAR pathway compared to 50 per cent in the highest quartile alone.
“Anecdotally,we understand that ATAR achievement is seen as an important indicator of school success,and one that often guides parental choice about which schools children attend,” it reads.
“Any consideration of increasing course and program options available will also need to consider the objective of finding achievable solutions,given the barriers schools face in delivering broader course options.”
Curtin University School of Education senior lecturer Brad Gobby said this was the crux of the problem.
“Limited choice and pathways in upper school informs the decision of some students to move to private schools,if their parents can afford it,” he said.
“This is a death spiral for the delivery of ATAR subjects in some schools. Reversing this trend is difficult because schools have to re-capture that student market against the odds.”
He said curriculum choices should not be determined by postcode,income or choice of school or school sector,such as public/private or independent/Catholic.
“It was once a remit of public schools to deliver a comprehensive curriculum. Today,the,” he said.
“These statistics reflect of educational opportunity and outcomes in WA.
“Of course,not all students want to study ATAR subjects or go to university … but we also need to ensure curriculum offerings don’t unfairly and unknowingly segregate and limit students based on their backgrounds.”
He said the report also mentioned that 27 per cent of students said they didn’t like senior secondary school,and a further 32 per cent said it was only OK,which was “not a resounding vote of confidence.”
Submissions responding to the Pathways discussion paper will close on December 8.
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