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Teachers defy union test ban
By political writer LINDA SILMALIS
From: The Sunday Telegraph
May 02, 2010 12:00AM
http://www.dailytelegraph.com.au ... rewt0-1225861024802
PUBLIC school teachers across the state have rebelled against their union by voting to proceed with controversial national literacy and numeracy tests.
Staff have been holding votes at individual schools over the past week, with significant numbers rebuffing the Australian Education Union's directive to boycott the NAPLAN tests due to be held from May 11-13.
Education departmental sources claim "between 60-85 per cent" of schools will administer the tests which are opposed by union officials because the information gathered could be used to compile school league tables.
Schools where a majority of teachers support the tests include Glenmore Road Public School in Paddington, Dubbo South Public School, Nyngan High School, Killara Public School, Granville Boys High, Lindfield East Public School, Narrandera High School and Lismore Public School, according to a confidential list obtained by The Sun- day Telegraph.
The State Government is planning to capitalise by taking the union head on with a multi-media advertising blitz, starting tomorrow, aimed at convincing parents the tests will go ahead. The campaign, which will involve radio and print advertisements, will also include a hotline for families to call to discuss the tests for all students in Years 3, 5, 7 and 9.
The principal of Glenmore Road Public School in Paddington, John Benton, last week issued a newsletter to parents which indicated the majority of teachers at the school had voted to supervise the tests.
Mr Benton said that although teachers remained opposed to the use of the results for school league tables, banning the tests would be counter-productive.
"Although we are all concerned by the adverse effect on education in Australia of the publication of simplistic league tables, the majority of teachers have voted to administer these tests," he said.
"A number of teachers believe that banning these tests could be counter-productive given the information schools and parents get from them."
The union last week responded to the rising numbers of teachers defying its boycott plans by threatening casual and retired staff that they would enter a "hostile environment" if they agreed to supervise the tests.
Hiring substitute teachers was part of a State Government fall-back plan if existing school staff refused to administer the tests.
However, The Sunday Telegraph can reveal in many cases substitute staff will not be required because of the number of permanent staff who will supervise the tests.
In other cases, skeletal staff or casual teachers have been hired to ensure the tests proceed. NSW Education Minister said she believed the tide was turning.
"I have always said that the majority of teachers don't support a ban which will only affect students in public schools," she said.
"This shows that principals and teachers are professionals and they're making decisions that are in the best interests of their students."
The NSW Industrial Relations Commission on Friday ruled the proposed boycott as illegal. |
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