Impact of Reduced Funding for Victorian Government Secondary Schools

VCAL – Coordination funding was cut in 2011 for 2012. How much funding did your school lose?

Summary Comment: 30 % of schools responding to the survey indicated that they had lost in excess of $50,000 from their 2012 SRP. More than 10% had lost over $100,000.

What was this amount as a proportion of the cash component of your school’s SRP?

Summary Comment: Of the schools with VCAL programs, more than 30% lost in excess of 5% of the cash component of their SRP.

What has been the impact on your VCAL program?

of 13 15 October, 2012 What has been the impact (of reduced VCAL funding), if any, on the remainder of the schools program?

(refer to Appendix 1 for full set of responses)

Summary Comment: Most common impacts include reduction in programs such as literacy and numeracy support in years 7 to 9, and / or reduction in VCE / VET/ VCAL offerings. This results in less academic students being ‘forced’ into more academic options, and leading to frustration and disengagement.

Many principals reported that the consequence of these cuts reduced their schools ability to build student engagement by offering diverse pathways and targeted learning programs to scaffold their learning.

EMA – funding has been changed so that schools no longer receive direct funding in relation to eligible families / students. At the same time, schools with an SFO greater than 0.5 will receive additional grants. What is the total net effect of these changes on your school?

Summary Comment: 17% of schools reported an increase in funding as a result of the changes, while more than 70% reported a reduction in funding.

6% reported an increase of more than $25,000 while nearly one third (32.8%) reported a reduction of more than $25,000.

What strategies will you(your school) consider to ‘replace’ this funding?

2 Impact of Reduced Funding for Victorian Government Secondary Schools Summary Comment: Many schools are examining their ability to increase the financial cost to parents and families, either by direct charges for materials and services (such as in electives) that were previously supported by the school’s budget, or by asking parents to pay for these materials and services directly.

Many principals are concerned about the ability of families to meet the necessary costs of modest uniforms, books and stationery.

Removal of the EMA funding has led to cancellation of camps and excursions which in many cases offer the greatest benefit to those for whom this funding was provided.

VET costs are likely to be impacted by changes in provider costs. What do you expect to be the impact of the changes to TAFE funding on your school program?

Other comments

Summary Comment: It is difficult to summarize the diverse range of comments listed in the appendix, however it is clear that principals are frustrated that these and other cuts to their resources limit their ability to deliver programs to students at risk of disengagement from schooling. This has a direct effect on their school’s ability to deliver robust and challenging curriculum to the remainder of the cohort. Page 3 of 13 15 October, 2012 From these responses it is also clear the schools feel that they need to seek additional funds from parents and families to supplement their diminished budgets – the greatest impact being borne by the families communities at the lower end of the SFO scale.

4 Impact of Reduced Funding for Victorian Government Secondary Schools

Appendices

Appendix 1

Impact of reduced VCAL Coordination funding on the remainder of the schools program?

Funding VCAL will result in an inability to fund the Junior Literacy & Numeracy program to the same extent as in 2011-2012. The range of VCE subjects was reduced. The two smallest classes (Specialist Maths 3/4 & Food Tech 3/4) were cancelled. There will be a 'belt-tightening' across the board. Again, not entirely sure until we crunch the numbers. There has been very little impact on the remainder of the school's program though there has been a tightening of expenditure in the VCAL program. Very little money to do anything 2012 VCAL coordination combined with VET coordination duties. Less time for planning to improve the program - in its infancy No impact Whilst the programs for senior students was maintained, this was at the expense of programs elsewhere in the school. Just pressure on other programs with less funding available. Decreased the number of subjects in the VCE Reduced time allowances for staff, increased teaching loads and cut elsewhere to keep VCAL viable Hopefully none Increased staff deficit; some unit 3,4 classes may not run; increase in class sizes for VCAL as above Not a great deal of impact other than we will try to manage the loss by having more students take in house VET options and limit placements to TAFE We made a decision at School Council to continue the VCAL program, to be supported with school funds, provided same time allowance internally. None at this stage Reduced options at all year levels, increased class sizes Less class teacher support for Literacy and Numeracy in the Middle school, reduced teacher support, reduced KLD budgets Affects (limits) pathway options for our Year 10 students when they transit to the Senior Secondary College, particularly those at risk of disengaging from the schooling system. See above Unable to fully cater for students needs We are looking at scenarios including minimizing VET/VCAL options. The impacts of these funding cuts must be taken in the context of other funding sources being jeopardised by government decisions ( see below). The ongoing impacts of increasing Credit budget commitments related to workforce demographics, with little prospect of attracting younger staff are of concern. Nothing directly. However it has taken money away from the overall running of the College. We have kept the VCAL program (and coordinator) simply because it is a vital program Limited budget, limited places. Need time = money Only a few students affected Reduced staffing We needed to run less VCE classes and increase vcal class sizes nil Fewer smaller classes I am now undertaking workforce bridging Noted above - we are self funding to ensure that this is a viable option for our students. In doing so it restricts budgets from other curriculum areas in the school. We decided to continue with VCAL to support student needs

of 13 15 October, 2012 Nil Students who are less academic forced into classes which are more academic and not suited to their learning Reduced capacity to implement school based initiatives Reduced choice of subjects for students to aspire to in year 9 and 10 thus impacting the engagement of a component of the cohort. Nil Had to employ one less staff member to support program which has impacted upon whole school provision None We have had to find the money from other areas of the budget. Still running most programs. Will probably end up with less surplus at the end of the year and this will hurt us in the future. Placed greater pressure on VCE classes. Increased the numbers in Flexible learning options away from the college We just managed in 2012 as we had a slight surplus in our SRP. I anticipate a deficit in 2013. Reduction in funding for other programs across the college $80 000 less available for other programs (used reserve funds in 2012) No increase to better PATHWAYS’ FOR STUDENTS School has tried to minimise the impact on what we have been able to offer. Reduced funding to other positions of responsibility so we could continue to fund a VCAL coordinator No impact Reduced spending on furniture, equipment, grounds and maintenance, reduced community programs as part of VCAL program thus less engaging Stretches staff especially in small school. Reduction in staffing will have a major impact on programs on offer. As a remote school we do not have the provision of support from the Structured Workplace Coordinator situated in the nearest large centre we therefore have to provide that service ourselves - this is an inequity! Other programs bear the brunt as we try to provide a breadth of programs that students want & need Fewer resources for existing programs, fewer new programs Now in a larger deficit - will mean smaller classes at Year 10 and 11 will not run. The funding was used in coordination and in keeping classes the same as a typical trade VET class 16 max. Class sizes increased, groups became mixed across themed areas leading to a less focused model of delivering the outcomes, definitely more difficult for the teachers, including the best ones The additional support that is required for most of the students in the VCAL program has been withdrawn as a separate role, this has placed additional strain on human resources across the entire VCE, VCAL, senior programs. we have reduced the amount of funding we allocated to support transport of VCAL / VET students to work placements, other secondary schools and TAFE campuses because this money is now being re-allocated to support VCAL programs/resources that used to be funded. Reduced opportunities Some students who wanted to do VET simply cannot do it. Given our clientele, this is a significant disadvantage. No VCAL provided Not applicable Reduced time allowances for important roles and deficit for 2012 There has been less money available for the remainder of the school's programs.

6 Impact of Reduced Funding for Victorian Government Secondary Schools Appendix 2

What strategies will you(your school) consider to ‘replace’ this EMA funding?

Fee increases. Still ask the parents for the same amount of money but this time out of their own pockets ie. 'indirect' taxes have been increased to meet the Government's reduced tax revenue problems. Not sure - very concerned at the impact on low income families' capacity to access books and uniform. Year 8 camp has been cancelled. Increase in no/low cost year 9 & 10 electives. Slashing funding available to subject areas Have no capacity to replace - will have to shift $$ into welfare budget We have set up centre pay to try and encourage families to make payments to the school No strategies until the loss is confirmed next year Try to convince eligible parents to transfer their EMA to the school so that it can be administered in a similar way to the past. Reduce existing subsidies to all families for camps and excursions. Need to operate with less, Less teachers possibly, More fund raising too. Cut in staffing and not running the Literacy program Written to all parents As a senior secondary college - we saw a small increase. EMA is not a big thing here. Unsure at this stage, will need to address true impact This will be an issue in the future if the increase we recieve is just a one off payment. I have not seen any written guarantee that EMA top up funding for low SES is ongoing. no strategies as yet. We will need to draw on other funds to replace these changes in charging for camps, excursions, etc which were previously supplemented by school All excursions, camps etc have to build in CRT cost to their event, which will price some of them out of affordability for our students. Less support staff for programs. Compared with 2012, we will be $56,000 worse off ($77,000 worse off if we include the $21,000 signed over by parents). We may have to look at trying offset the loss by increased fees/ levies. The final decision will depend on if /how much additonal grant funding we receive (our SFO will be > 0.50). We may also have to wind back camps & excursions. Parents to "sign over" if possible none Our College Council has communicated payment options to parents to consider. These are also in the context of changes to the School Start Bonus. We have been looking at what cuts to program budgets can be made as the proportion of compulsory fees paid by parents decreases. We have very few students who get this funding Less excursions, less capacity to help parents who are wanting their child engage in payment activities. There are none! Parents contributions are all we have to rely on and there are some very poor parents who cannot afford to contribute at all. VCAL program has a leading teacher, this will be cut unless funding can be replaced by other means We have set up a range of payment options for parents. However we are budgeting for a 10% decrease in collection Letter to parents about changes and asking to direct money back to the school Writing directly to parents to make arrangements in 2012 for 2013 Cut curriculum budgets Increase fees, reduce funding to subject areas. Increase to the school voluntary parent contributions, reduce faculty budgets The school will cover the cost (as it always does) and other areas of the budget will be cut. We will allow families to pay off school camps, uniform etc Reduce curriculum budgets - reduce time allowances - increase teaching allotments Our parents will have to pay more for camps and extra curricular activities Publicise to parents the benefits to signing their ema to the school

of 13 15 October, 2012 There are none. There will now be a significant part of the student population that will not be able to afford uniform, laptop lease, and any electives that require payment. Camps and excursions will also be impacted. Thankfully, parents are still given the option to sign it over, so we hope that a substantial amount will. We will measure the real impact next year. Increase charges and levies More user pays Reduce programs I don't know!!! Panic probably. re allocation of funding from program budgets figure closer to $100 000. Will plant money tree. Where do you get one? SFO increase? We will have to wear the cost of subsidising/covering more of the costs for excursions and camps. At this stage we are cutting funds to budget areas rather than raising revenue. We will need to reduce assistance provided to students. The exact nature of these has not yet been finalised. Looking at reducing the number of excursions which are at a minimum anyway and are all linked to the curriculum, charging parents a greater amount for activities

8 Impact of Reduced Funding for Victorian Government Secondary Schools

Appendix 3

Other comments:

The combined affect of budget cuts will mean that it is impossible for our school to continue with its current Year 7/8 Literacy & Numeracy program that has been in operation for the last three years. Because we have a 'Global' budget, any reduction in input amounts automatically means a cut in something but not necessarily that particular program ie. we haven't cut VCAL or VET (more vulnerable students) but we have cut the range of VCE classes (and increased the class sizes) so we anticipate lower VCE study scores as a result. My apologies but I think this is the second time I have done this survey- the extra amount of stress and hardship these issues are putting on schools results in principals running around in circles. We are frustrated by this cut as we hear lots about the need to support young people who are from disadvantaged backgrounds etc and many of our VCAL orientated students come from disadvantaged homes and we are not providing for them as well as we could be. No We hear that VET funding may be "shaved" or "capped" . We have a large VET program with more than 800 individual enrolments. Most of our VCAL students undertake 2 VET. We are an RTO and most VET happens on site but we also auspice a small number of programs from TAFE or other RTOs. Any capping or shaving will significantly impact our school finances. Students have already made their choices for 2013. We are seeing an increase in VCAL numbers and may be close to 300 students next year. I already have a staffing deficit that increased as a result of VCAL funds being withdrawn; any further withdrawal of funds will be a disaster for my school. Our college already struggles to maintain a diverse program for the high needs of our students, hence this will again impact on overall student engagement and viable pathway options. Concerned that there will be lack of ongoing EMA top up funding and if maintained that it will be "in the SRP" never to be really found nor indexed against rising costs Programs for students wishing to take alternatives to VCE being squeezed out, the mainstream VCE that doesn't suit all students is becoming the only viable option. Not catering for student needs properly. we specialise in students at risk of leaving school early so every change has a huge impact on us It makes it very difficult to improve students learning outcomes when the value add that enabled that to happen have been removed .i.e. less support staff in schools, no Teaching and Learning Coaches who actually were making a significant improvement to students learning, which is what we are supposed to be about; reduction of networks to technical administration instead of targeted improvement as a team of leaders to support and encourage each other as well as share expertise in learning improvement programs in our schools; and less regional support for school learning improvement initiatives built using team relationships with people we know, not large impersonal technical organisations. Teaching is a people industry, relying on relationships for improvement not impersonal administration. We will mainly be affected by the EMA cutbacks. Because of the reduction of EMA funds, pressure will put on other areas of our budget. This will limit our ability to help families with camps, excursions, assisting some families to access the 1:1 Device program. We also will find it harder to find spare funds to provide aide support for high- needs students who may either not be eligible for PSD funding or who have applications pending. There is a degree of stress due to uncertainty relating to reductions in compulsory parent payments, on top of the EMA cuts. The small gain in SFO-related adjustment will not, in our calculations, account for the cuts to the school's portion of EMA. We still have to maintain Admin support in our ES workforce to process the EMA paperwork. The same applies to the need to continue to have a Leading Teacher responsible for VET/VCAL Coordination. This is not an ES role: the level and complexity of accountabilities, VASS, compliance, organisation, parent liaison, RTO and TAFE negotiations, reporting, etc, for this program are all significant (and costly). We have absorbed the funding decreases during 2012. However I think we will start to see the impact during 2013 - probably with a reduced diversity of programs/subjects available to students. Less pathways for state students! We get the bare SRP funding with no additional money except instrumental music which has also been cut by 0.7 eft so parents will have to fund more or the programs will be cut. The combination of these cuts plus rising costs such as utilities we require a cut in offerings Further impacts likely to be felt in ssso as replacement costs for leave staff only set at $26 inc on costs No maintenance cleaning funding for trade training facilities accessed by multiple schools $ 100 k shortfall pa may force closure

of 13 15 October, 2012 All these cuts are making it harder to manage the SRP- information on new charges is difficult to get and planning has been made more difficult Less payment of school fees will have an impact on the overall budget decisions in the school, which obviously affects what we will be able to actually do in the school. May affect some of the "extra" programs that we develop to support student learning It appears that in the new western region, we have the highest, by far, VET enrolment and our schools will be impacted most by the cuts. Students from low socioeconomic backgrounds tend to dominate in the VET and VCAL areas and so they are doubly hit with EMA cuts and VET funding cuts. Rural schools have the added costs of transport to access VET courses in regional centres. Rural outlying schools and their students are being terribly disadvantaged by these cuts. It may well mean split classes ie two teachers sharing the one class and combined VCE classes The reduced funding is further enhancing the us and them divide in education. Those that can pay for it and those that will have to go without Becoming increasingly difficult to find affordable and appropriate options for students who do not want or are unable to complete VCE It saddens me that students will not be able to choose a TAFE/ VET course due to financial constraints It depends on what other ideas the government comes up with in the future to save money. This is death by a thousand cuts It is obvious that the rhetoric of inclusion and providing for individual need does not meet reality of the actions of massive cut backs to the most marginalised and at risk students I will have to cut VET options, reduce numbers in VCAL, consider dropping PreCAL, and reduce the number of vCE classes offered. too early to tell The situation becomes more and more difficult for us as a medium sized school (300). We can't reduce our options as then we lose students to nearby larger schools. We have to keep doing more with less. Yes, the funding cuts impact on those students most likely to drop out of education and training and for which the VET and VCAL pathways re-engaged them and our students have had really positive outcomes from these programs. Many have been offered full time apprenticeships and won state awards!!! The changes clearly represent a shift in expectation whereby schools are now expected to "negotiate" with parents for the funding of activities or alternatively reduce what's offered. As a very high SFO school we would have expected that given our high figures, that the compensation for the loss of EMA would come out reasonably close. Instead we have had an effective reduction of 15%. If we are affected to this level then schools with a lower SFO must have been reduced even further. Is there any school which has actually come out better? These cuts have all been targeted at a minority community group and no social justice concept in Government decisions. disgusting It is looking like we will be required to name 3-4 staff in excess in 2013. We are also waiting to see if we are funded for National Partnerships Low SES School Communities which currently funds a Leading Teacher position. There is a real impact on what rural/remote schools can offer. We are disadvantaged. If we are unable to provide the programs and support needed students will leaver and travel to Wangaratta to go to school. Worse families may leaver the area! Camps and excursions not being supported, especially Year 7 orientation camp. Increase in welfare requests. Reduction in 'high cost' subject enrolments (e.g. outdoor ed.) I get the 'fourth way' as the next thing for our system. However in the absence of real funding maintenance in senior schooling we will regress. A strong VCAL and VET presence in our system not only improves outcomes for those participating, it makes for a strong VCE. These things go together. Metaphorically speaking, this years AFL premiers will have a better 'bottom six' than the runner up. That's how it has to be for our system to be among the best world wide, find the balance quickly. As low SES school it is very difficult to understand or explain to parents that the net loss to our school community is $40,000. These funds have been directly allocated to the most needy students and families. Many programs will need to be closely examined and reduced as a result of this. The uncertainty of what funding is actually going to be and also what the next cuts going to be has created a high level of anxiety amongst staff. An example of this is the memo that was distributed regarding OH&S training, where do we now find the money for the training and the replacement of staff during this time. High needs students cannot and won't be supported to attend activities such as camps, excursions, sports activities. We will have to review the types of activities and experiences we offer our students to enable the majority to be able to participate. Being in a rural town, costs are already very high due to distances that need to be travelled these changes impact significantly on us as a small secondary rural school. Our TAFE, whom we have a close and positive working relationship with, has indicated that their auspice costs will be a flat rate, per year, per 10 Impact of Reduced Funding for Victorian Government Secondary Schools certificate regardless of the number of students enrolled. Whilst this may 'average out' over time, we have a large number of small groups (3 to 4 students) that study a certificate auspiced through TAFE which will incur a higher cost to the school based on their proposed funding model or alternatively, the school will not offer these pathway options for students. For a government that places a high priority on vulnerable youth, cuts of this type are hitting at the heart of the very issues we are trying to address. Whilst we are fortunate in that we have a low cost staff, and as such can absorb some of the impact, if we were not in this position we would be forced to reduce VCE provision.

of 13 15 October, 2012 Appendix 4

Secondary schools identifying as responding to the survey (66 schools) Anonymous Baimbridge College Ballarat High School Bendigo Senior secondary College Birchip P-12 School Blackburn English Language School Box Hill Senior SC Brentwood Secondary College Bright P-12 College Camberwell High School Carrum Downs Secondary College Copperfield College Cranbourne Secondary College Croydon Community School Croydon Maroondah College Daylesford Secondary College Drouin secondary college Eaglehawk Secondary College Emerald Secondary College Fairhills High School Fountain Gate Secondary College Galvin Park sc Geelong High School Gisborne SC Gladstone Park Glen Eira College Goroke P-12 College Hallam Senior College Kaniva College Koo Wee Rup SC Lynall Hall Community School/The Island Mac.Robertson Girls' High School Maffra Secondary College Manangatang P-12 College Mentone Girls' Secondary College Merbein P-10 College Mirboo North SC Monbulk College Murtoa College Nathalia Secondary College Nobel Park Secondary School Oberon high school Ouyen P-12 College Portland SC Preston Girls Secondary College Rainbow SC 12 Impact of Reduced Funding for Victorian Government Secondary Schools

Ringwood SC Rochester SC Rosehill Secondary College Somerville SC Staughton College Sunshine College Tallangatta Secondary College Timboon P-12 School Timboon p-12 School Trafalgar High School Victoria University Secondary College Wangaratta High School Warracknabeal Secondary College Wedderburn College Wellington SC Westall Secondary Wheelers Hill Secondary College Wodonga Senior Secondary College Wonthaggi SC Yarra Hills Secondary College

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