ACT schools have been involved in their version of Independent
Public Schools. Recently the AEUACT ran a survey across the 23
schools involved in the roll out of autonomy. Nearly 200
responses from school leaders and teachers were received. The
data is concerning. A “School Empowerment” survey was completed
by almost two hundred teachers and school leaders across the 23
eACT (“Empowered”) schools. The rationale for increased autonomy
for schools, despite almost two decades-worth of international
and national evidence to the contrary, has been that it will
improve student results. Less than one in five (19%) teaching
staff in the autonomy trial schools agree. Members in so-called
Empowered schools are telling us that increased autonomy brings
with it significant threats. More than half (52%) believe
autonomy has a negative impact on a school’s financial
management, while only 15% believe financial management is
improving. Almost six in ten (57%) believe autonomy has a
negative effect on staff morale, while onl