Introducing the Aboriginal Education and Training Policy

1. Introducing the Aboriginal Education and Training Policy NSW Department of Education & Training Aboriginal Education and Training Policy www.det.nsw.edu.au

2. A Policy for all publicly educated and trained students and all Departmental staff with a commitment to shared decision making with Aboriginal Peoples and communities. NSW Department of Education & Training Aboriginal Education and Training Policy www.det.nsw.edu.au

3. All Students and All Staff The Policy aims to : • improve the educational outcomes of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander students so that they excel and achieve in every aspect of their education and training. (1.1.1) • build everyone’s knowledge and understanding of the histories, cultures and experiences of the First Peoples of Australia. (1.1.3) NSW Department of Education & Training Aboriginal Education and Training Policy www.det.nsw.edu.au

4. Why a new Policy? • TheReview of Aboriginal Education, 2004 recommended that the Aboriginal Education Policy (Schools 1996) be updated. • The Aboriginal Education and Training Strategy 2006-2008 endorsed this recommendation and identified, as an action, development of a new policy for all Departmental sectors, schools and TAFE NSW Department of Education & Training Aboriginal Education and Training Policy www.det.nsw.edu.au

5. What is Different about this Policy ? • This new Policy is for our time now and will also guide us into the future. • It applies to all areas of the Department of Education and Training… • …all staff employed in schools, TAFE Institutes, Regional Offices, State Offices and Adult Community Education (ACE) are responsible for putting the policy into action. NSW Department of Education & Training Aboriginal Education and Training Policy www.det.nsw.edu.au

6. Where Does This Policy Fit? Genuine partnerships & local solutions Anchoring decision-making in data Quality teaching & student learning Whole workplace approaches Delivering better services National Directions Evidence-based practice Collaborative decision-making DET/AECG Partnership Agreement Aboriginal Education & Training Strategy Building workforce capacity ABORIGINAL EDUCATION & TRAINING POLICY Closing the achievement gap in education and training Strengthening Aboriginal Communities Two Ways Together NSW State Plan Equity Social justice NSW DET Corporate Plan Aboriginal education and training for all Cultural relevance, appropriateness and inclusiveness Relationships Engagement Ongoing learning NSW Department of Education & Training Aboriginal Education and Training Policy www.det.nsw.edu.au

7. Policy context • The priorities which shape the Policy, complement and reflect those of other major NSW and national plans, strategies, statements and reports that guide the work of the Department. ABORIGINAL EDUCATION & TRAINING POLICY National Directions Aboriginal Education & Training Strategy DET/AECG Partnership Agreement NSW State Plan Two Ways Together NSW DET Corporate Plan NSW Department of Education & Training Aboriginal Education and Training Policy www.det.nsw.edu.au

8. The Policy’s priorities • To strengthen Aboriginal communities and support efforts to overcome Indigenous disadvantage • To close the achievement gap in education and training between Aboriginal and non-Aboriginal learners ABORIGINAL EDUCATION & TRAINING POLICY Strengthening Aboriginal Communities Closing the achievement gap in education and training NSW Department of Education & Training Aboriginal Education and Training Policy www.det.nsw.edu.au

9. The Policy’s 3 Guiding Elements • Relationships • Engagement • Ongoing Learning Where decision making and service delivery in public education and training reflects engagement with the Community (especially with Aboriginal people and communities) better educational outcomes will be achieved. This will require the establishment and maintenance of productive relationships within an inclusive environment of ongoing learning. ABORIGINAL EDUCATION & TRAINING POLICY Relationships Engagement Ongoing learning NSW Department of Education & Training Aboriginal Education and Training Policy www.det.nsw.edu.au

10. What does that mean in my workplace ? • Schools will be required to implement the policy by: • consulting and working in partnership with their Local and Regional AECGs and Aboriginal communities • incorporating strategies into their School, Institute and Directorate Plans that comply with the policy • monitoring & evaluating the effectiveness of these plans • reporting on the achievements of Aboriginal students against outcomes and targets identified in these plans and against those of the Office of Schools Plan 2009-2011 NSW Department of Education & Training Aboriginal Education and Training Policy www.det.nsw.edu.au