Excellence is at the centre of our operations. Children and families choose the ACT public school system based firmly on the quality of educational experience our programs offer and the numerous opportunities we provide for students to excel. We value honesty, excellence, fairness and respect. We believe these values are essential enablers for a school environment that places each and every child and young person and their learning at the centre of our educational programs.
The Education and Training Directorate (the Directorate) provides services to children and young people both directly through public schools and indirectly through regulation of non-government schools and home education, and to people of all ages through the planning and coordination of vocational education and training (VET) in the ACT.
Our vision
Our vision is that all young people in the ACT learn, thrive and are equipped with the skills to lead fulfilling, productive and responsible lives.
Our values
Our values are honesty, excellence, fairness and respect.
Our priorities
We will ensure student success through:
- high quality learning and teaching
- engaging, success-oriented school environments
- flexible and responsive student pathways and transitions
- innovative leadership and corporate development.
Our commitments
We are committed to:
- ensuring students succeed through quality teaching that engages them and supports the development of capabilities for life
- meeting each student's academic, social, emotional and physical needs by ensuring all ACT public schools provide positive and success-oriented learning environments
- providing learning pathways for students resulting in an educated and skilled workforce that meets the present and future needs of the ACT and region
- ensuring that the Directorate is recognised as a responsive, innovative and high achieving organisation that delivers on its commitments.
Our achievements
Our achievements in 2011-12 were:
- in the National Assessment Program – Literacy and Numeracy (NAPLAN) 2011, ACT students across all year levels and domains achieved mean scores higher than the Australian average. There were noticeable improvements from 2010 results in year 5 spelling, and grammar and punctuation, and year 7 spelling
- the proportion of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander students in the ACT above the national minimum standard was higher than the proportion of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander students in Australia in all tests and all year levels in NAPLAN 2011
- 88 percent of public school year 12 students achieved a Year 12 Certificate in 2011
- 93 percent of 2010 public school year 12 graduates were employed or studying in 2011
- the attendance rate of public school students in years 1 to 10 in 2011 was 91 percent
- 90 percent of year 10 public school students in 2011 proceeded to public colleges in 2012
- 95 percent of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander students achieved a Year 12 Certificate in 2011
- 80 percent of students and 83 percent of parents and carers were satisfied with the education at public schools in 2011
- 98 percent of parents were satisfied with the learning and developmental progress of their child attending an early intervention program in 2012
- 89 percent of parents were satisfied with the education of their child attending a disability education program in 2011
- the number of apprentices and trainees in training in the ACT increased by 20 percent in 2011, compared with a national increase of two percent
- 86 percent of ACT VET graduates were employed after training compared with 77 percent nationally
- the participation of ACT 15-19 year olds in VET courses grew by seven percent in 2011, compared with four percent nationally
- 60 percent of apprentices and trainees in the ACT who commenced in trade occupations in 2011 were aged 19 years or younger, compared with 52 percent nationally
- 93 percent of staff were retained by the Directorate during 2011-12.
Our business
In 2011-12, our business featured:
- $627.4 million in expenditure
- $1,979.6 million in assets including school buildings and infrastructure
- $136.0 million in liabilities including employee benefits
- 5,854 staff including 4,100 school teachers and leaders
- 4,526 female staff, equating to 77 percent of the total workforce
- 40,074 students ranging from preschool to year 12 in 84 schools.