WHAT'S NEW

Some of the publications listed below are in PDF format.

2012

ISCA Submission - Consolidation of Commonwealth Anti-Discrimination Laws

On 1st February 2012, ISCA lodged a submission in to the Attorney-General's Department regarding the Discussion Paper - Consolidation of Commonwealth Anti-Discrimination Laws.

ISCA Submission - Review of the Not-For-Profit Governance Arrangements Consultation Paper

On 25th January 2012, ISCA lodged a submission in response to the Treasury Consultation Paper - Review of the Not-For-Profit Governance Arrangements Consultation Paper.

2011 - DECEMBER

ISCA Submission - A Definition of Charity

On 9th December 2011, ISCA lodged a submission in response to the release of The Treasury Consultation Paper - A Definition of Charity.

NOVEMBER

PPI Report Examines Parental Contributions to Education

The third report by Australian Catholic University’s (ACU) Public Policy Institute (PPI) and commissioned by the Independent Schools Council of Australia examines parental contributions to education and shows that the parental investment in non-government schools has positive effects on the quality and equity of Australian schooling and provides considerable savings to the public purse.

SEPTEMBER

ISCA Submission to Review of Funding for Schooling- Response to Commissioned Research

On 30th September 2011, ISCA lodged a submission in response to the release of the Paper on Commissioned Research and four research reports by the Expert Review Panel.

ISCA Media Release - Chaplaincy Program Extension Welcomed

The Independent Schools Council of Australia (ISCA) has today welcomed the Federal Government’s extra $222 million commitment to extend the National School Chaplaincy Program (NSCP) and enable an additional 1000 schools the opportunity to participate in the program.  Mr Bill Daniels, Executive Director of ISCA, said that the NSCP is a distinctive program that provides care and support to students, staff and families in school communities and is strongly supported by independent schools.

ISCA Media Release - Indexation Core to Any Funding Arrangements

The Independent Schools Council of Australia (ISCA) has today welcomed the Federal Government’s announcement that it will continue to index its funding payments to non-government schools for the 2011 calendar year. Mr Bill Daniels, Executive Director of ISCA, said that this positive decision was a key element of the funding arrangements by recognising that all schools are facing rising costs and increasing educational demands. "Indexation is a core component of any funding model which is seeking to maintain choice and diversity in schooling. The independent schools sector appreciates the Government’s direct and continuing support through indexation. It is essential that this support continues in future funding arrangements" said Mr Daniels.

JULY

ISCA Submission to the Inquiry into the Schools Assistance Amendment Bill 2011

On 5 July 2011, ISCA lodged a submission to the Inquiry into the Schools Assistance Amendment Bill 2011 being undertaken by the House of Representatives Standing Committee on Education and Employment.

JUNE

ISCA Opening Statement to the Inquiry into National Funding Agreements

On 24th June 2011, ISCA appeared before the Inquiry into National Funding Agreements being undertaken by the Joint Committee of Public Accounts and Audit.

Abbotsleigh Parent Forum Communiqué - Premier supports school choice and diversity

Abbotsleigh School, the NSW Parents' Council and the Association of Independent Schools of New South Wales released a communiqué on 9th June 2011 following the Abbotsleigh Parent Forum held on 8th June 2011.

Abbotsleigh Parent Forum - Speech

On 8th June 2011 Independent Schools Council of Australia Executive Director Bill Daniels spoke at the Abbotsleigh Parent Forum. The Forum, which was jointly organised by Abbotsleigh School and the NSW Parents' Council, gave over 400 parents from more than 60 independent schools an opportunity to voice their concerns regarding the Federal Governments Review of Funding for Schooling.

Independent Schooling in Australia Snapshot 2011

In June 2011 ISCA published its update of key statistics related to the independent schools sector in Independent Schooling in Australia Snapshot 2011. A hard copy can be obtained by contacting ISCA.

MAY

ISCA Media Statement - Independent Schools Welcome Clarification

The Independent schools sector has acknowledged Minister Garrett’s clarification of the Federal Government’s position on the Review of Funding for Schooling. The Independent Schools Council of Australia (ISCA) stated that it is reassuring to note that Minister Garrett indicates the Government has not prejudged the outcomes of the review - contrary to recent media reports that may have misled the public as to the Government’s intent.

PPI Report Examines Choice and Values in Schooling

The second report by Australian Catholic University’s (ACU) Public Policy Institute (PPI) and commissioned by the Independent Schools Council of Australia examines the impact of choice on student achievement and equity and finds ample evidence for governments to continue to fund non-government schools.

PPI Report Dispels Private School Equity Myth

A report by Australian Catholic University’s (ACU) Public Policy Institute (PPI) and commissioned by the Independent Schools Council of Australia, has shown that non-government schools make a significant contribution to achieving a more equitable society by the quality of the education they provide.

ISCA Media Release - A Positive Step for Students with Disabilities

The Independent Schools Council of Australia (ISCA) welcomes today’s announcement by the Prime Minister and the Minister for School Education that the Government will be providing an additional $200 million for students with disabilities.

APRIL

ISCA Submission to the Review of the Disability Standards for Education 2005 Discussion Paper

On 21st April 2011, ISCA lodged a submission to the Review of Disability Standards for Education 2005 Discussion Paper.

ISCA Submission to the Strategic Review of the Student Visa Program

On 15th April 2011, ISCA lodged a submission in response to issues arising from the Student Visa Program Review Discussion Paper.

ISCA Submission to the Inquiry into National Funding Agreements

On 8th April 2011, ISCA lodged a submission the Inquiry into National Funding Agreements being undertaken by the Joint Committee of Public Accounts and Audit.

ISCA Media Release - Parental choice for education a must

A key outcome of the Review of Funding for Schooling must be to enable choice in the schools sector to continue. This requires stable, predictable and reasonable funding arrangements for independent schools, as highlighted in the Independent Schools Council of Australia’s submission to the Review of Funding for Schooling lodged yesterday.

MARCH

ISCA Submission to Federal Review of Funding for Schooling

On 31st March 2011, ISCA lodged a submission in response to the issues arising from the Emerging Issues Paper.

ISCA Submission to the National School Chaplaincy Program Consultation

On 18th March 2011, ISCA lodged a submission in response to issues arising from the National School Chaplaincy Program Discussion Paper.

ISCA Media Release - Independent schools welcome funding certainty

The Independent Schools Council of Australia (ISCA) welcomes Federal Parliament’s passing of amendments to the Schools Assistance Act. The amendments to the Act will ensure the extension of the existing general recurrent funding arrangements, including indexation and targeted programs until the end of 2013 and for capital grants until the end of 2014.

ISCA Media Release - Data release debunks funding myths

The Independent school sector welcomes the release of My School 2.0 as a significant step forward in the transparent reporting of resourcing across the school sectors. The publication of schools financial data should finally put to bed the myth that independent schools are heavily funded by governments, said Bill Daniels, Executive Director of the Independent Schools Council of Australia. What this data shows is the massive contribution that parents in the independent sector make towards their child’s education, says Mr Daniels.  Parents contribute almost 60% of funding of independent schools with Federal Government contributing approximately 30% and state governments approximately 10% of recurrent funds.  Parents also contribute 80% of the costs towards capital expenditure while still being fully accountable to government and their school community.

FEBRUARY

ISCA Media Release - Funding for non-government schools assured

The Independent Schools Council of Australia (ISCA) welcomes the Government’s introduction of the Schools Assistance Amendment (Financial Assistance) Bill 2011 into Parliament yesterday. The Government’s pre-election commitment will extend the existing funding arrangements for non- government schools by one year until the end of 2013 and for capital funding to the end of 2014. "The extension of the current funding arrangements will give schools additional stability and assurance," says Mr Bill Daniels, Executive Director of ISCA, "until the outcomes of the Review of School Funding are known."

 

 

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