EDUCATION
Schools
Most of the indicators of school outcomes selected for this report have remained relatively steady since 2000.
The outcomes from student literacy and numeracy tests in Year 5 (students attaining Band level 3 or higher) have remained steady. Of note is the poorer outcome for Indigenous students with results some 13–15% below that of all students. Students with a "non-English speaking background" performed on par with all students.
The attainment of Year 12 or equivalent qualifications by persons aged 20–24 years increased slightly from 81.9% to 83.5% during the period 2000 to 2006.
The proportion of school students in government schools has declined slowly since 2000 to reach 67% in 2006.
Student achievements and qualifications |
|  |
| | 2000 | 2001 | 2002 | 2003 | 2004 | 2005 | 2006 | |
| | % | % | % | % | % | % | % | |
| |
| Year 5 students meeting minimum standard | | | | | | | | |
| Literacy(a) | na | 95.5 | 96.1 | 95.1 | 95.4 | 94.1 | na | |
| Numeracy | na | 93.6 | 93.7 | 94.0 | 93.6 | 93.4 | na | |
| Indigenous literacy(b) | na | na | na | na | na | 79.4 | na | |
| Indigenous numeracy(b) | na | na | na | na | na | 80.1 | na | |
| NESB literacy(c) | na | na | na | na | na | 93.9 | na | |
| NESB numeracy(c) | na | na | na | na | na | 92.9 | na | |
| Year 12 qualification and equivalent age 20–24 years(d)(e) | 81.9 | 80.1 | 81.0 | 81.5 | 83.6 | 82.7 | 83.5 | |
| Students in government schools | 69.4 | 68.7 | 68.2 | 67.7 | 67.2 | 66.8 | 66.7 | |
| |
| na not available |
| (a) As tested in the Basic Skills Test (BST). Percentages reflect students achieving the minimum standard of Band 3 or higher. From 2005, the indicator is based on one BST test. Prior to 2005, students were assessed via the BST and the Primary Writing Assessment (PWA). Data for the previous years were created retrospectively by matching students who sat both the BST and the PWA. |
| (b) Note that the children in these categories are self-identified. Given the age of the children there may be concerns about the accuracy of the identification. |
| (c) Students from a Non-English Speaking Background (NESB). These are students who answered yes to the question "Does anyone speak a language other than English at home". |
| (d) This time series is based on the Australian Bureau of Statistics Classification of Qualifications (ABSCQ). |
| (e) Data as at May. |
| Source: Schools, Australia (ABS cat. no. 4221.0); NSW Department of Education and Training, Annual Report 2005–06; ABS data available on request, ABS Survey of Education and Work. |
Post-School
New South Wales post-school outcomes as measured by the attainment of graduate qualifications have improved since 2000.
The proportion of people aged 25–64 years with a bachelor degree qualification or above increased substantially from 19.8% in 2000 to 25.0% in 2006.
Post-School Education Students |
| |
| | | 2000 | 2001 | 2002 | 2003 | 2004 | 2005 | 2006 | |
| |
| Apprentices and trainees in training(a) | '000 | 82.9 | 95.5 | 110.1 | 120.8 | 119.1 | 119.3 | nya | |
| Persons currently enrolled for study | | | | | | | | | |
| Aged 20–24 years | % | 35.5 | 38.2 | 37.5 | 37.8 | 39.1 | 40.4 | 36.9 | |
| Aged 25–64 years | % | 7.7 | 7.9 | 8.2 | 8.5 | 8.3 | 8.2 | 7.6 | |
| Higher education students – domestic(b) | '000 | 194.3 | 197.9 | 231.7 | 234.2 | 229.7 | 230.7 | nya | |
| Overseas higher education students(b) | % | 13.0 | 14.5 | 20.1 | 22.0 | 22.5 | 22.4 | nya | |
| Persons aged 25–64 years with non-school qualifications | | | | | | | | | |
| Bachelor degree or above(c) | % | 19.8 | 20.6 | 21.8 | 21.8 | 23.4 | 24.5 | 25.0 | |
| Advanced diploma, diploma, certificate III and IV | % | na | 23.4 | 25.5 | 25.5 | 26.5 | 24.7 | 26.4 | |
| |
| na not available |
| nya not yet available |
| (a) In training as at 30 June. |
| (b) Data for 2000 and 2001 are first half year data only; data from 2002 are full year data. |
| (c) Includes Graduate Diploma and Graduate Certificate. |
| Source: National Apprentice and Trainee Collection, June 2006; ABS data available on request, ABS Survey of Education and Work; Department of Education, Science and Training, Students, 2000–2005: Selected Higher Education Statistics. |
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