August 2004
Academic low-achievement among children and adults in Australia's rural and remote communities, particularly Indigenous ones, has long been a significant factor preventing many such communities from becoming economically sustainable.
But steps are being taken to address the issue via an Israeli accelerated learning program that is providing the basis of improved education outcomes in rural and remote Australia , through a project being co-directed by a Monash education lecturer and researcher.
Dr Zane Ma Rhea is working with Professor MarciaLangton of the University of Melbourne and Ms Helene Teichmann of HTT Associates, a consultancy that specialises in devising strategies for corporations to work together with governments and communities. Together, they are providing leadership to develop and implement the Yachad Accelerated Education and Work Readiness (YAEWR) project.
A team of Israeli accelerated learning experts, led by Professor Elite Olshtain from the Hebrew University in Jerusalem, is also involved.
"The YAEWR project was conceived after Professor Langton's 2003 study tour to Israel, where she saw great potential in an accelerated learning program which addressed education disadvantage via principles of gifted and talented education rather than remedial solutions," Dr Ma Rhea said.
"The overriding principle is that the standard school curriculum should be taught to educationally disadvantaged groups in the classroom, along with additional accelerated learning classes before and after school, to bring the students up to the national average.
"It's based on a philosophy that every student is capable of being taught the standard curriculum and able to achieve the expected outcomes, provided appropriate attention is given to overcoming any learning impediments such as linguistic or cultural differences.
"Evidence gathered in many parts of the world shows the accelerated learning approach has led to educational achievement and improved career pathways for academically low-achieving students."
Dr Ma Rhea said the YAEWR project aimed to develop economic sustainability in rural and remote communities in Australia .
"It features two main strands -- accelerated education for academically low-achieving children and adults to lift their performance to standards closer to the national average, and the development of employability and work readiness skills," she said.
In the project's first and current phase, the focus is on three trial sites -- in Western Australia 's East Kimberley region, Queensland 's Cape York area and in northern Victoria .
"In each of the sites, a program is being developed for the whole community, serving the needs and interests of Aboriginal and non-Aboriginal people, based on visits to the sites last year by the Australian and Israeli teams," Dr Ma Rhea said.
They consulted with a wide variety of stakeholders, including local community members, business groups, schools, TAFE colleges and potential funding bodies, both public and private. Seed funding of $24,000 was sought and obtained from the federal Department of Employment and Workplace Relations.
The project has also attracted strong interest from the federal Department of Education, Science and Training.
This year, team members have been working to develop a network of interested employers and employer groups at the three sites, build links with various Indigenous Employment Program initiatives and develop appropriate school-to-work transition programs with Job Search training providers.
In July, Dr Ma Rhea and Professor Langton will conduct an employer forum in the East Kimberley region to ensure business leaders are informed of the project and to encourage them to become collaborative partners in creating employment pathways and mentoring opportunities into the future.
"Clearly, there is a need for urgent intervention to assist people in rural and remote communities to develop economically sustainable livelihoods, and of particular urgency in all the trial sites is a focus on Indigenous communities," Dr Ma Rhea said.
"At the moment, we're working to bring together Indigenous, farming, pastoralist and mining communities, along with government and industry partners, to develop their local accelerated education and work readiness projects and to consult and agree on benchmarks, expected outcomes and the skill development needs of teachers.
"In August, we'll begin our first project implementation visits with our Israeli colleagues to each of the sites to undertake professional development with teachers from pilot schools."
Dr Ma Rhea said the performance of participating students in a range of subjects would be rigorously assessed according to both local and international standards.
"We anticipate that student performance in each pilot area will be commensurate with, or will exceed, the national average by the year 2006," she said.
"The expected flow-on effects to employment should also be highlighted, as international evidence shows students will improve their employment prospects by increasing their levels of educational attainment.
"And engagement with local employers will strengthen the local school to work pathways and build the capacity of local people to attract industry to their area, based on the availability of a pool of experienced potential employees."
The success of accelerated learning programs internationally has been measured by increased workforce participation and the creation of an economic base for those participating communities, Dr Ma Rhea said.
"We anticipate that the YAEWR project will produce the same measurable, positive outcomes."
Contact:
zane.marhea@education.monash.e du.au
Ph: +61 3 9905 2823 | 
