In this special episode of SMC, Brad speaks with Professor Luke Connolly from The University of Queensland about recent media reports concerning a study by university researchers who reportedly declared that investing in a private education is a waste of money. This issue is vitally important for Principals, School Heads, Marketing and Enrolment leaders because parents and prospective parents will draw conclusions based on the headlines. To put you in the picture we give you this ‘background briefing’ by going directly to the source to ask the hard questions. This will arm you with the facts to overcome any objections you might receive.
Brad interviews Professor Connelly about the study in question, ‘Does school type affect cognitive and non-cognitive development in children?’, which was published recently in the Australian Journal of Labour Economics. Professor Connelly states that the headlines are vastly oversimplified claims and goes on to explain the purpose of the study, research conducted, data sources and how they arrived at their conclusions. Brad and Professor Connelly continue by discussing some of the many other factors outside the school type that made more significant differences in a child’s academic performance, which the study revealed. Professor Connelly states this study does not make any claims about how school type affects a child’s outcome at the end of their schooling.
In continuation of the background briefing, Brad interviews Ron Gorman, Deputy Director of the Association of Independent Schools Western Australia (AISWA), who has a special interest in this area. They discuss the media sensationalism surrounding the research; how the research questions the value of non-government education; NAPLAN tests used as data in the study; and issues with the conclusions drawn in the study. Brad concludes by asking Ron how he would respond to a parent or prospective parent who asks for justification that their investment in an independent education is worthwhile.
In closing, Brad advises that another resource that you might find useful is a short video with Dr Paul Burgis, Executive Principal of Presbyterian Ladies’ College Sydney. Dr Burgis directly addresses some of the recent critics of independent education, including the author of Free Schools who has claimed Professor Connolly’s research supports his own views.
