Students 'need $1.1 billion to close remote-learning gap' - Sydney Morning Herald

Disadvantaged students slipped six weeks further behind their peers while schools were delivering lessons remotely, a report has found, and more than a billion dollars' worth of intensive tuition is needed to help them catch up.

Modelling by the Grattan Institute, a think tank, estimated the wide achievement gap between advantaged and disadvantaged students grew at triple the usual rate during remote schooling, with surveys of teachers showing their disadvantaged students learned 25 to 50 per cent less than they would have in class.

The report's author, Grattan Institute School Education Fellow Julie Sonnemann, estimated that over two months of remote learning, the achievement gap between disadvantaged students and their peers would have widened by 7 per cent, or an additional six weeks.

The Grattan Institute says the federal government should invest more than $1 billion in helping students disadvantaged by COVID-19 Credit:Virginia Star

In NSW, where remote learning ran for seven weeks, the gap would be slightly less, at 5.1 weeks or 6 per cent, while in Victoria, where it ran for nine weeks, the gap would be 8 per cent, or six and a half weeks.

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Before remote schooling, there was about seven years' difference in capabilities within year 9 at a typical school, and "after COVID-19, the spread will be even larger," the report said.

Dr Sonnemann said international research showed intensive tuition in groups of between two and five was the most effective way of helping students catch up and suggested Australia use that method to focus on the 25 per cent most disadvantaged students.

She called on the government to invest $1.13 billion in small-group tutoring, saying short sessions three to four times a week over 12 weeks could increase student learning by an extra five months.

Tutors could be drawn from casual teaching staff, teaching assistants, pre-service teachers and university graduates, creating extra work in a difficult jobs climate. Younger people would also be more likely to spend the money, stimulating the economy.

"There's a lot of money going out the door in fiscal stimulus," Dr Sonnemann said. "We know [these students are] a group that's been affected. There are tangible solutions you could provide. Why would you not put money towards this group?

"If all goes well, it would help to make even bigger inroads into the disadvantage gap. We know that gaps in learning compound over time. This is a real opportunity to trial something that has potentially really big benefits for a cohort that really needs it."

Money should also be invested in widening successful literacy and numeracy programs, bringing the total spend to $1.25 billion by the federal government over the next six months, Dr Sonnemann said.

Craig Petersen from the NSW Secondary Principals Council said the idea was worth looking at, but equity was complex, and logistics would be difficult. For example, some classes, such as kindergarten and year 7, may have been harder hit than others.

"We absolutely need to be supporting our disadvantaged kids," he said. "We also have to make sure we support our full range of students."

In response to the calls for funding, a spokesman for Education Minister Dan Tehan said advice from health experts was schools were safe to remain open during the pandemic. "Our government was consistent that we should follow the expert medical advice and keep schools open," he said. "State and territory governments made the decision to close their schools or keep them open."

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2020-06-14 11:02:42Z
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