EPGA Changes to Home Education in QLD
Have your say on home education laws
Credit: www.free2homeschool.org
Infographic summary of the proposed legislation affecting Queensland home education.
EGPA Changes to Home Education
March 6, Changes to the Education (General Provisions) Act 2006 were introduced to Parliament following a broad review of Queensland’s legislation, led by The Honourable Di Farmer, Minister for Education and Minister for Youth Justice. Among the proposed changes were specific proposals surrounding home education in Queensland.
Welcomed proposed changes to home education age eligibility
This is a welcome change in my family, and I have previously advocated for this change. I wrote a letter to the previous Minister for Education, The Honourable Grace Grace to request changes. I appreciate the Education Department has listened on this particular policy. The new proposed age changes are as follows:
“Extending the age eligibility to enable a child to be registered for home education until 31 December in the year the child turns 18, consistent with the schooling sector.” - Education (General Provisions) and Other Legislation Amendment Bill 2024, Explanatory Notes.
Unwelcomed proposed changes to home education curriculum requirements
The overwhelming majority of home educating families reject the proposed legislations changes (see infographic pictured). In particular we do not want laws requiring HEU students to align with the Australian Curriculum, including the Queensland syllabus for seniors. Personally, our family refers to the curriculum for guidance at times, but we believe quality education is provided through a more curated, child-focussed program. Home education offers more than the ACARA standardised approach, a system designed for teachers in a classroom setting. In particular, I argue for flexible programming for our senior students, not a return to the QCAA senior syllabus.
The proposed changes to home education programs are as follows:
“Requiring the educational program for a child registered for home education to be consistent with the Australian Curriculum or Queensland syllabus for senior subjects.” - Education (General Provisions) and Other Legislation Amendment Bill 2024
Say no to standardised curriculum
I am most concerned about the senior syllabus part of the new bill in accordance with the national curriculum. I am interested to know how Education Queensland want seniors to follow a QCAA curriculum. How closely will they want this followed, especially if a student is not looking to obtain the Queensland Certificate of Education (QCE), which is of little value? Additionally, will the proposed changes allow homeschool seniors to be eligible for an ATAR if home educators are to report progress aligned to the senior syllabus?
I also question how well Education Queensland understands the tertiary application process outside of QTAC. Do they understand the QCE has no bearing on university admissions? Do they understand that universities are accepting entrants through open universities and other pathways? Tertiary institutions are increasingly recognising the “quality education” of homeschoolers, admitting our graduates without a QCE or ATAR score. Employers are doing the same.
If Education Queensland does understand, then the argument for the national curriculum as a standard, does not stand. If the Bill is passed, more home educating seniors will leave education after year 10, to learn outside of the enforced curriculum. This has impacts for the student and family.
After your child turns 16 or completes Year 10, they will need to be learning or earning until they turn 17, gain a qualification, or complete Year 12. This period of schooling is known as the ‘compulsory participation phase’ and during this time, your teen can keep going to school or leave school and learn or earn elsewhere. - Spark Their Future
Homeschooling high school seniors want choice
Home educating seniors want choice, not restriction. Seniors should be able to choose their mix of curriculum, including not following ACARA, where participation is not mandatory beyond year 10 or 16 years of age. If tertiary providers and employees do not require a QCAA Queensland Certificate of Education (QCE), why should our seniors be forced to do the ACARA curriculum to prove quality education?
Again, I believe the new bill will drive HEU senior students away from secondary education too soon. I believe the expectation to follow the QCAA senior syllabus will bog down our seniors taking time away from other learning that fast-track their goals.
I believe the standardised nature of the Australian Curriculum holds little merit for outliers, including students with learning difficulties, neurodiverse, and high-ability students.
At this age, students can be trusted, under the guidance of parents and carers, to find a better way to learn and earn in these crucial years of development.
The department does not need to enforce ACARA standards to prove quality education or child safety. There has to be a better way.
Benefits of remaining registered for home education during senior years
Home educated siblings thrive outside ACARA. Winners of the 2022 and 2023 Australian STEM Video Game Challenge. Winners of the 2022 and 2023 National Museum of Australia History Makers Video Competition.
There are many school-based opportunities available to high school students with other providers outside ACARA. They can participate in traineeships, apprenticeships, Vocational Education and Training with RTOs or TAFE at School, and Uni at School etc. These courses are provided at a significantly reduced price or free if an enrolled secondary student.
Students can participate in school-based competitions and challenges as home educating students. This is an important opportunity as these activities are designed to challenge students. For example, STEM, geography, and arts competitions. They build skills and give recognition that can be included in a student portfolio and resume.
HEU students can participate in District and Regional Sports, which is a fantastic opportunity for talented children to compete and socialise with peers.
Financial support - HEU seniors/families can continue to receive Centrelink payments including Assistance for Isolated Children allowance (AIC) and Family Tax to support the cost of education and help with the loss of parental income for home educators. HEU secondary students are also eligible for the Textbook and Resource Allowance (TRA) to assist with costs.
#FREE2HOMESCHOOL
Our family visits Parliament House.
In conclusion, why are our children held to a standard that is narrow and burdensome? Surely at the age of a senior student, strict regulation of the curriculum is a moot point if they can leave anyway? Why make such restrictive laws for our senior secondary students? What is the point? Therefore, I stand against mandatory adherence to the national curriculum for Queensland home education, especially the QCAA syllabus for seniors.
About the author
I am a rural mother of four teenagers - three registered with the Home Education Unit (HEU) and one recent graduate. We have over six years of experience homeschooling. We chose to homeschool to provide consistency and stability for our children, as my husband is a police officer who moves around for his service. We currently live in a remote town with no secondary school. Home education has provided my children with quality educational opportunities through the current Home Education registration and reporting process.
Have your say
If you would like to have your say, make a submission to the parliamentary committee before March 25, 2024, expressing your concerns about the proposed changes.
