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WHY PARENTS CHOOSE INDEPENDENT SCHOOLS There are some 492,146 full-time equivalent students in Australian independent schools, representing 14% of total Australian school enrolments.* On average, these students receive only 45% of the government funds available to students in government schools. Many parents make considerable financial sacrifices to meet the gap in government funding and school costs. What is it that makes them choose independent schools for their children in spite of the cost? The Independent Schools Council of Australia (ISCA) commissioned research to explore the factors that affect school choice amongst parents of children attending independent schools. This research explored what parents want from, and the factors that affect their choice in sending their children to an independent school. The research showed that parents want their children to have a well rounded education from independent schools with a strong emphasis on learning life skills. Parents indicated that they want a school to a safe, protective environment for academic and personal development for their students and that they wanted their children to be happy. The parents that participated in this research cited a school employing good teachers as highly influential in their decision making The research report also highlights a number of core strengths of the independent sector. There is a very high recommendation rate amongst parents whose children attend independent schools, which is reflective of a high level of satisfaction with the independent sector. The high level of satisfaction also suggests that independent schools are meeting the educational outcomes parents are seeking for their children. The 2008 ISCA Research Report, Factors Affecting School Choice, is available in PDF format. *ABS data which excludes independent Catholic enrolments. |
why parents choose independent schools
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