TABLE OF CONTENTS

• Introduction
• Forms of Financial Assistance
• Capital Grants Programme
• General Recurrent Grants Programme
• Commonwealth Targeted Programmes
• Literacy and Numeracy Programme
  • Literacy – Grants to Schools to Foster Literacy Development
  • Literacy – Grants for National Literacy Strategies and Projects
• School Language Programme
  • National Asian Languages and Studies in Australian Schools (NALSAS) Strategy
  • Community Languages
  • Priority Languages
• Special Learning Needs Programme
  • Special Education – School Support
  • Special Education – Non-Government Centre Support
  • English as a Second Language (ESL) – New Arrivals
  • Country Areas Programme – (CAP)
  • Full Service Schools (FSS)
• Tables – Commonwealth Financial Assistance Granted in 1999
  • Australia
  • New South Wales
  • Victoria
  • Queensland
  • South Australia
  • Western Australia
  • Tasmania
  • Northern Territory
  • Australian Capital Territory
  • Number of Government and Non-government Schools and Students Funded by the Commonwealth, 1999
    

Introduction

The States Grants (Primary and Secondary Education Assistance) Act 1996 provided the legislative basis for schools assistance programmes, administered by the Department of Education, Training and Youth Affairs in respect of the calendar year 1999.  This Act specifies the funds to be provided and the associated conditions set by the Commonwealth for government schools, non-government schools and other eligible groups.

The 1996 Act received Royal Assent on 5 December 1996 and provided initial allocations for 1997 through to 2000. Statutory Rule No. 223 of 1999, "States Grants (Primary and Secondary Education Assistance 1997-2000) Amendment Regulations 1999 (No. 1)" supplemented allocations in the Act for price increases during 1998 and 1999.

Section 90 of the Act requires the Minister to cause a report with respect to the financial assistance granted and other payments authorised under the Act to be laid before each House of Parliament as soon as practicable after 30 June.  This report provides a detailed breakdown of expenditure in 1999 from funds appropriated by the Act and a brief description of how funding was allocated in line with the objectives for Commonwealth programmes for schools.

Funding is provided by the Commonwealth as part of its contribution to the national effort for Australian schooling and, taken as a whole, the programmes represent an integrated approach by the Government to the funding of primary and secondary education.

Not all amounts in this report have been the subject of certified statements at this time.

Figures in this report may not add to totals due to rounding or truncating.

Forms of Financial Assistance

Capital Grants Programme

The objectives of Commonwealth capital funding are providing and improving school capital infrastructure, with particular emphasis on assisting schools serving educationally disadvantaged students.

In 1999 the Commonwealth provided funding of $306 352 000 of which a total of $219 902 000 was distributed for capital projects to government schools and a total of $86 450 000 was distributed for non-government schools under the Capital Grants Programme. Funding is provided under Sections 46 and 49 of the Act.

All of the funds allocated for government schools were distributed under the General Element of the programme as block grants to government school systems in the States and Territories.  Funding was allocated on the basis of each State's/Territory's share of government school enrolments.

Funds available for non-government schools and paid through 14 Block Grant Authorities (BGAs) were determined on the basis of the relative enrolments and general recurrent funding of their participating schools.

Of the total allocation for non-government schools, $1 513 681 was provided for the administrative expenses of BGAs.  Project funds were fully committed and are being paid as projects progress.

BGA’s determined priority for funding of schools’ capital projects primarily on the basis of the relative educational disadvantage of students.

General Recurrent Grants Programme

The objective of the General Recurrent Grants Programme is to help government and non-government schools with the recurrent costs of school education so that they can offer students educational programmes directed towards the achievement of the Commonwealth’s priorities for schooling.

Those priorities are aimed at ensuring that all students are allowed to realise their full potential, so that they leave school with the knowledge, skills and attitudes appropriate to their post-school destinations, and they have a sound foundation for undertaking further education and training, participating successfully in the workforce, and contributing to and benefiting from Australian society.

Those priorities also include support for the principles of access, choice, equity and excellence in schooling by encouraging the provision of a strong, viable and diverse selection of government and non-government schools from which parents can choose what is best for their children.

Under agreements between the Commonwealth and the States and between the Commonwealth and non-government school authorities, the States and authorities were required to meet educational accountability obligations by complying with the requirements set out in the Commonwealth Programmes for Schools Quadrennial Administrative Guidelines 1997 to 2000.  The agreements require authorities to participate in an annual National Report on Schooling in Australia including participating in sample studies and programme evaluations as required by the Commonwealth.

In 1999 the Commonwealth provided funding of $1 103 562 690 as block grants to government school systems on a per capita basis for allocation to schools.  The per capita grants to government schools in 1999 were $419 per primary student and $618 per secondary student.  Amounts paid depended upon actual enrolments in government schools on the schools' census day.  Funds were made available under Sections 44 and 47 of the Act.

Funding of $2 419 813 572 was distributed to non-government schools as per capita grants.  School systems and independent schools received per capita funding in one of twelve funding categories determined through assessment of financial need. 

The table below sets out per capita grants to non-government schools in 1999.

In 1999 an amount of $648 000 was available in the form of Short Term Emergency Assistance for any non-government school which, because of an unexpected event or circumstance, experienced severe, temporary, financial difficulty.  Following assessment of applications, an amount of $200 000 was allocated.  Funds were made available under Section 50 of the Act.

Commonwealth Targeted Programmes

In the context of the 1996-97 Budget, the Commonwealth Government announced a new programme structure for 1997-2000 which streamlined more than forty smaller programmes for schools into five priority areas:  Literacy, Languages, Special Learning Needs, School to Work and Quality Outcomes (School to Work and Quality Outcomes are funded under the Appropriation Act and are therefore not included in this Report).

In 1999, Commonwealth funding for the Literacy, Special Learning Needs and Languages Programmes was provided to the relevant education authorities in each State or Territory.  Grants to individual government and Catholic schools were determined and administered by the relevant education authority in each State or Territory.  Grants to independent schools were administered by the relevant Association of Independent Schools.

The legislation for the 1997-2000 quadrennium incorporates the new structure and allows funding to be directed more strategically to assist in meeting key objectives.  In particular, the restructure increases flexibility of funding arrangements, allowing education providers greater scope in determining local priorities.  Agreements with States and Territories and non-government authorities reflect the new structure of broadbanded programmes.

Literacy and Numeracy Programme

The aim of the Literacy and Numeracy Programme is to foster the acquisition by all students of appropriate literacy and numeracy skills. The Literacy and Numeracy Programme has two funding strands:

• Grants to Schools to Foster Literacy Development; and
• Grants for National Strategies and Projects.

Literacy - Grants to Schools to Foster Literacy Development

The prime objective is to measurably improve literacy and numeracy outcomes for educationally disadvantaged students.

Specific objectives are to:

• assist all children to be numerate and able to read, write and spell at an appropriate level, at the completion of primary school.  It is expected that there will be a particular focus on assisting students in the crucial early years (K to Year 3) through supporting the elements of the National Literacy and Numeracy Plan, so that every child commencing school will achieve a minimum acceptable literacy and numeracy standard within four years;
• assist primary and secondary schools and school communities to improve learning outcomes of educationally disadvantaged students, the most fundamental being literacy and numeracy; and
• assist students from a language background other than English by developing their English language competence and facilitating their participation in mainstream education activities.

Integration with existing State and Territory, system and school literacy initiatives is encouraged.  For the purposes of the programme, it is recognised that literacy development and numeracy development are complementary and school education authorities are encouraged to develop and implement numeracy programmes where appropriate.

In 1999 the Commonwealth provided funding of $174 325 000 of which $127 617 000 was distributed for government schools and $46 708 000 was distributed for non-government schools.  Funds were made available under Sections 52 and 53 of the Act.

Literacy - Grants for National Literacy Strategies and Projects

The prime objective is to identify, research and implement strategic national initiatives and developments in literacy and numeracy.

Specifically the element focuses on:

• the early years of schooling;
• students experiencing literacy and numeracy difficulties in the middle years of schooling; and
• links between literacy, numeracy and general or vocational pathways in the senior years.

In 1999 the Commonwealth provided funding for this strand of $6 764 000.  As at 26 July 2000 an amount of $2 159 150 has been paid for projects and an amount of $4 604 850 has been committed and will be distributed as projects progress.  Funds were made available under Section 54 of the Act.

School Language Programme

The School Language programme includes:

• the National Asian Languages and Studies in Australian Schools (NALSAS) Strategy;
• Community Languages; and
• Priority Languages.

The Commonwealth provided a total of $62 697 000 under this programme for 1999.

National Asian Languages and Studies in Australian Schools (NALSAS) Strategy

The objective of the NALSAS Strategy is to assist government and non-government schools to improve participation and proficiency levels in language learning particularly in the four targeted Asian languages - Japanese, Chinese (Mandarin), Indonesian and Korean, and to introduce and maintain Asian studies content in the subjects studied by all students.

The NALSAS Strategy is a collaborative initiative of Commonwealth, State and Territory Governments.  It aims to support Asian languages and Asian studies in all school systems in order to improve Australia’s capacity and preparedness to interact internationally, in particular with key Asian economies.

NALSAS funding is paid to government education authorities, Catholic Education Commissions and Associations of Independent Schools.  Funds are allocated on a per capita basis within the amount specified in the Act.  Funding must be applied by education authorities to enhance and expand the four targeted Asian languages and Asian studies provision for school students.

The Commonwealth provided funding of $44 437 000 for NALSAS in 1999.  An amount of $29 868 991 was distributed to the government sector and $12 367 009 was distributed to non-government sector.  The funding included $2 201 000 for the joint component of NALSAS which is composed of Collaborative Projects and funding to the Taskforce Secretariat.

Under Collaborative Projects an amount of $2 101 000 was allocated of which $787 810 has been spent.  An amount of
$147 733 has been spent on projects undertaken by government education authorities and an amount of $640 077 has been spent on projects undertaken by non-government education authorities and other organisations.  An amount of $1 313 190 has been committed and will be distributed as Projects progress.  An amount of $100 000 has been distributed to Education Queensland for the administration of the Taskforce Secretariat.  Funds were made available under sections 56, 57 and 58 of the Act.

Community Languages

The objectives of the Community Languages are to maintain relevant languages and cultures among students of non-English speaking background (including Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander students) and to promote the learning of a community language and the understanding of the different cultures within Australian society by all students.

The Community Languages Element recognises the resources provided by Australia's multicultural society and encourages the further study of languages and cultures.  Under the Element, assistance was provided through States and school system authorities to support classes in the languages and cultures of ethnic communities for the benefit of both non-English speaking background and other students.

The Commonwealth provided $13 304 000 in 1999 of which $7 503 457 was paid to government educational authorities and $5 800 543 was paid to non-government educational authorities and non-government schools.  Funds were made available under Sections 59 and 60 of the Act.

Funds for non-government schools were paid to the Catholic school systems in the States and Territories for distribution to systemic and non-systemic schools conducting classes in community languages and to organisations conducting community language classes in non-systemic schools.

Priority Languages

The objective of the Priority Languages is to provide for growth and excellence in the learning of the following ten identified priority languages: Aboriginal languages, Arabic, French, German, Modern Greek, Italian, Spanish, Russian, Thai and Vietnamese.

As an incentive for schools to encourage students to complete Year 12, funding was allocated as a percentage share of Year 12 students who presented for assessment in one or more of the priority languages.  To attract funding, students had to have completed an accredited course and presented for assessment at the Year 12, or equivalent level, in 1997.

The Commonwealth provided $4 956 000 in 1999 of which $2 762 214 was distributed to government schools and
$2 193 786 was distributed to non-government schools.  Funds were made available under Sections 62 and 63 of the Act.

While the allocative mechanism encouraged students to complete their senior secondary studies in a priority language, the programme funds may be spent on the provision of language education in the priority languages on any level, K to Year 12, within the system, aggregation of schools, or individual schools.

Total number of students funded under priority languages, by language, 1999

Note:  Figures in this table reflect the total number of students funded under priority languages for the 1999 programme year and are based on 1997 assessment data.  Students studying more than one language attract funding per language studied.

Special Learning Needs Programme

The Special Learning Needs priority area includes:

• Special Education; which has two elements
  • School Support; and
  • Non Government Centre Support;
• English as a Second Language - New Arrivals;
• Country Areas Programme; and
• Full Service Schools Programme.

The Special Learning Needs programme seeks:

• to improve the educational participation and outcomes of young people with disabilities  through the provision of assistance targeted at schools, organisations, community groups and non-school organisations;
• to provide assistance for primary and secondary school students newly arrived in Australia with minimal or no English language skills who are undertaking a specifically organised programme of English language instruction;
• to improve the educational participation, learning outcomes and personal development of rural and geographically isolated primary and secondary school students attending both government and non-government schools; and
• to provide additional support for students at risk of not completing year 12 to a satisfactory level.

Special Education - School Support

The Commonwealth provided $73 192 000 of which $42 840 000 was distributed to government schools and centres and $30 352 000 was distributed to non-government schools, to improve the educational participation of, and outcomes for children with disabilities.  The funding is provided under Sections 68 and 69 of the Act respectively.

A child with a disability is one who is enrolled at a school and has been assessed by a person with relevant qualifications as having an intellectual, sensory, physical or social/emotional impairment or multiple impairments to a degree that would satisfy the criteria for enrolment in special education services or programmes provided by the State/Territory government.  Children whose only impairment is a specific learning difficulty or for whom remedial education or remedial support is appropriate are not eligible.

In addition to this, the Commonwealth provides per capita funding for eligible Students With Disabilities attending government and non-government schools, which is paid as part of the Commonwealth's General Recurrent Grants (GRG) programme.  Students with Disabilities attending government schools attract an additional $87 per primary student and $126 per secondary student.  For non-government schools, the per capita amount is the difference between the maximum GRG rate and the GRG rate for the particular school.

Through GRG, the Commonwealth provided an amount of $17 503 245 for Students With Disabilities.  A total of $8 650 702 was provided in per capita assistance for 85 025 primary and secondary Students With Disabilities in government schools.  Funding is provided under section 70 of the Act.

A total of $8 852 544 was provided in per capita assistance for 18 136 primary and secondary Students With Disabilities in non-government schools.  Funding is provided under section 71 of the Act.

Special Education - Non-Government Centre Support

The Commonwealth provided $22 550 000 to non-school organisations and community groups for educational, therapeutic and other services provided to children with disabilities who are below school age, students with severe disabilities, or children with disabilities in residential care. Funding is provided under Section 72 of the Act.

Of the $22 500 000 provided for non-government centres, $20 554 000 was allocated for recurrent purposes.  An amount of $1 996 000 was allocated for capital projects of which $1 241 046 has been spent and $754 954 will be paid as projects progress.  The recurrent funds are provided to a government agent in each state and Territory to distribute on behalf of the Commonwealth.  The funding for capital projects is administered by the Commonwealth and is provided under Section 72 of the Act.

English as a Second Language (ESL) - New Arrivals

This programme provides funding for primary and secondary school students who have recently arrived in Australia, whose first language is not English or whose language commonly spoken in the home is not English, and whose proficiency in the English language is assessed to require intensive assistance to enable those students to participate fully in mainstream classroom activities.  Eligible students are expected to receive a minimum of six months intensive English language tuition either in intensive language centres or in schools.  The amount and duration of assistance to be provided for individual students is a matter for the education authorities to determine.

ESL – New Arrivals funds are allocated on the basis of actual enrolments of students who require assistance.  In 1999, the Commonwealth provided the amount of $34 196 627 to assist 8 623 government school students and 1018 non-government school students.  Funding of $30 585 781 was provided under this programme for government schools and $3 610 846 for non-government schools.  The per capita grant under the New Arrivals programme for 1999 was $3 547.  Funding is provided under Sections 73(1) and 74(1) of the Act.

Country Areas Programme – (CAP)

The CAP aims to improve the access of primary and secondary students in rural and geographically isolated areas to quality education, which will assist them to achieve outcomes and participation rates at least equal to students in urban or less isolated areas.

Parents, administrators, teachers and members of the community are assisted through the CAP to improve the delivery of primary and secondary educational services in rural and geographically isolated areas.

CAP funding is paid directly to the education authorities in the States and the Northern Territory.  The government and non-government education authorities have the flexibility to determine how best to allocate the funds to schools in their sectors, and are responsible for ensuring that the funds are allocated according to programme guidelines.

Through the CAP, the Commonwealth provided $18 707 000 in 1999 to primary and secondary school students in rural and geographically isolated areas.  This amount comprised $15 753 000 for government systems and $2 954 000 for non-government systems and schools.  The Commonwealth currently uses an allocative mechanism, which is based on student numbers in small settlements and student isolation.  Funding is provided under Sections 75 and 76 of the Act.

Full Service Schools (FSS)

The Full Service Schools programme has two elements

• Full Service Schools - Projects in Schools; and
• Full Service Schools – Strategic Projects.

The FSS - Project in Schools element provides additional support to schools to develop innovative programmes and services that address the specific needs of students (primarily 16-17 years of age) who are considered ‘at risk’ of not completing Year 12 to a satisfactory level.

Under the Projects in Schools element, State and Territory Steering Committees identify schools in areas of highest need from the government, Catholic and Independent sectors.  During 1999 schools implemented programmes and services in their areas/regions through their State and Territory Steering Committees.

The FSS - Strategic element supports projects, which contribute to the pool of information and resources available on a national basis to address the needs of young people at risk of not completing year 12 to a satisfactory level.  Four national strategic projects were funded during 1999 one of which involved the FSS web site, which was launched on 29 March 2000.  The other research projects will enhance knowledge of the target group and programmes assisting them and include a national evaluation of the programme.

The Commonwealth provided $12 878 000 in 1999 to States and Territories for activities under the Projects in Schools element and $171 120 was allocated to national projects under the Strategic element.  An amount of $5 880 has not yet been allocated.  Funding is provided under Section 76A of the Act.