Reward payments for schools

Earlier this week, Julia Gillard announced a plan to give schools “achieving the highest improvements” up to $100,000.  To receive the “reward payment” primary schools need to show improvements in attendance, literacy and numeracy and high schools “need to show improvements in attendance, retention, Year 12 results and the number of students going on to further education, training and jobs”.  Primary schools will be paid up to $75,000.

Parents will also be part of the decision making as to where the money will be spent.  The $380 million program will commence in 2013 with 500 schools to be rewarded payments and 1000 schools to be rewarded the year after.