New maths checks for all government school grade 1s
Every grade 1 child in a Victorian government school will undergo a numeracy test from next year, as the state looks to lift the performance of primary students in the vital subject.
Tuesday's state budget allocated $10 million to develop the check, described as a new early screening tool designed to help teachers identify students who are behind in maths and need extra support.
The $37 million in new spending in the budget for maths teaching also includes $2.4 million for 'advanced maths camp' for 1000 year 9 and 10 students with enthusiasm and ability in the subject.
As part of its Better Fairer Schools Agreement with the Commonwealth, Victoria agreed to roll out an early years numeracy check by 2028, but state Education Minister Ben Carroll says the new funding will allow the check to begin two years early.
The budget also allocated another $5.9 million for government schools to continue to use the progressive achievement test for mathematics, which monitors students' ability as they progress through school.
Loading
There will also be a feasibility study for a dedicated maths and science school in Melbourne's north-west, as a counterpart to John Monash Science school in Clayton in the city's south-east.
Carroll said there was also $18.5 million in the budget for the Koorie literacy and numeracy program, designed to help First Nations learners.
The minister, who will launch the new suite of teaching initiatives on Thursday, told The Age on Wednesday that the new checks would help children of all abilities.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
West Australian
3 hours ago
- West Australian
Monash IVF admits to mistake after wrong embryo implanted
Fertility treatment company Monash IVF has admitted to a second IVF mistake, again putting the wrong embryo into a patient. The latest incident happened on June 5 at the company's Clayton clinic in Melbourne's southeast. 'A patient's own embryo was incorrectly transferred to that patient, contrary to the treatment plan which designated the transfer of an embryo of the patient's partner,' Monash IVF said in a statement to the ASX on Tuesday. 'Monash IVF is conducting an internal investigation into the incident. 'Monash IVF has extended its sincere apologies to the affected couple, and we continue to support them,' the statement reads. In 2023, Monash IVF staff in Brisbane mistakenly implanted the wrong embryo into another woman; the recipient of the embryo gave birth to the child. Monash IVF reported this incident to authorities and news of the error broke in April this year. Victorian barrister Fiona McLeod is running an independent review into the Brisbane incident. Ms McLeod's investigation is being widened, Tuesday's announcement says. '(Monash IVF) has also extended the scope of the independent review … noting that the different incidents occurred some years apart. Monash IVF will provide an update on the findings of the expanded review in due course,' the statement reads. The company said checks and balances were also being improved 'commencing immediately'. 'Monash IVF will implement interim additional verification processes and patient confirmation safeguards over and above normal practice and electronic witness systems, to ensure patients and clinicians have every confidence in its process,' the statement read. 'Whilst industry leading electronic witness systems have and are being rolled out across Monash IVF, there remains instances and circumstances whereby manual witnessing is required.' Monash IVF alerted the regulators to the incident, the company said. More to come
Perth Now
3 hours ago
- Perth Now
‘Own embryo': Horror IVF incident
Fertility treatment company Monash IVF has admitted to a second IVF mistake, again putting the wrong embryo into a patient. The latest incident happened on June 5 at the company's Clayton clinic in Melbourne's southeast. 'A patient's own embryo was incorrectly transferred to that patient, contrary to the treatment plan which designated the transfer of an embryo of the patient's partner,' Monash IVF said in a statement to the ASX on Tuesday. Monash IVF has clinics across the country. 9News Credit: Supplied 'Monash IVF is conducting an internal investigation into the incident. 'Monash IVF has extended its sincere apologies to the affected couple, and we continue to support them,' the statement reads. In 2023, Monash IVF staff in Brisbane mistakenly implanted the wrong embryo into another woman; the recipient of the embryo gave birth to the child. Monash IVF reported this incident to authorities and news of the error broke in April this year. Victorian barrister Fiona McLeod is running an independent review into the Brisbane incident. Ms McLeod's investigation is being widened, Tuesday's announcement says. '(Monash IVF) has also extended the scope of the independent review … noting that the different incidents occurred some years apart. Monash IVF will provide an update on the findings of the expanded review in due course,' the statement reads. The company said checks and balances were also being improved 'commencing immediately'. 'Monash IVF will implement interim additional verification processes and patient confirmation safeguards over and above normal practice and electronic witness systems, to ensure patients and clinicians have every confidence in its process,' the statement read. 'Whilst industry leading electronic witness systems have and are being rolled out across Monash IVF, there remains instances and circumstances whereby manual witnessing is required.' Monash IVF alerted the regulators to the incident, the company said. More to come
The Age
4 hours ago
- The Age
Scott Morrison honour exposes a system divorced from public sentiment
To submit a letter to The Age, email letters@ Please include your home address and telephone number below your letter. No attachments. See here for our rules and tips on getting your letter published. KING'S HONOURS The King's Birthday honour awards are rendered meaningless by Scott Morrison's inclusion, a decision that insults Australians (' Politicians, scientists and costume designer feature in King's awards ', 8/6). His legacy, marred by robo-debt's heartless assault on vulnerable citizens, leaving families shattered, alone disqualifies him. But it doesn't end there. His sluggish COVID response, driven by others, not conviction; his callous 'I don't hold a hose' remark during the bushfires; and his dismissive stance on gender issues reveal a so-called leader who tarnished Australia's values. Awarding Morrison cheapens these honours. It's a stinging betrayal of robo-debt victims and all who suffered under his policies. Honours should celebrate integrity and selflessness. This decision exposes a system divorced from public sentiment. Australians deserve better: honours that inspire pride, not ones that reopen wounds and glorify failure. Sue Barrett, Caulfield South Brightening lives The name of the honours may have changed from Queen to King but the same old selection criteria still exists with many receiving honours for doing their jobs. The reasons set out for Scott Morrison's award includes: 'leadership of the national COVID-19 response' and 'leadership of Australia's contribution to AUKUS', both up for debate as to whether there was any leadership shown and whether many decisions were the right ones. Let's be realistic, the award was for being prime minister. However, it was great to see awards for people such as those on the front page of The Age who have done extraordinary things for many years, outside their jobs, to 'brighten lives from beyond the spotlight'. Phil Mackenzie, Eaglemont His duty to lead Scott Morrison was awarded the Companion of the Order of Australia but it was his duty as prime minister to take a leadership role in the COVID crisis, as with any crisis the country may experience. As for AUKUS, its worth is yet to be proven and indeed it may be very destructive in the future, both financially and its capabilities to keep us safe. By awarding him the highest honour only diminishes the whole system of awards, especially to those who are truly worthy. Judith Morrison, Nunawading Doubts about his achievements It would have been better if the award to Scott Morrison had read only 'For service to the people and parliament of Australia as prime minister'. His leadership of the COVID response was successful only because the states pushed him and his approach on the vaccines puzzled many. His leadership on AUKUS omits the breaking of the contract with France and the loss of international good behaviour it generated as well as doubts about the AUKUS deal itself. Robo-debt, his alienation of China and the dislike he received from people affected by the fires and floods don't rate a mention. He claimed the 2019 election result was a miracle but not that the 2022 election result was too. Adrian Tabor, Point Lonsdale Doing his job The award for Scott Morrison brings into question the very nature of the awards process. This is meant to be a criterion-based assessment process. The criteria includes that the 'outstanding achievement' should be 'above what might be expected through paid employment' – the former PM does not meet this criteria. Warren Prior, Williamstown Short memories I have vivid memories of both Daniel Andrews' and Gladys Berejiklian's relentless battle to cajole Morrison into action at the time. Morrison was also seen to be needlessly slow in co-ordinating the country's vaccine roll-out. Andrews has been repeatedly vilified for his and his team's exemplary actions in Victoria, which had some of the lowest fatality rates globally. I honestly wonder how far and how deep some people's memories run. Robert Boelen, Waratah Bay
