How data collection can improve schools

WHAT'S WRONG WITH SCHOOLS?

The Productivity Commission is worried that more money, resources and testing aren't improving academic results so the commission was asked to find solutions.

WHAT IS THE REPORT IS ABOUT?

Data - how to use it and what to gather. It forms an "evidence base" that governments can use for future policy to improve schools.

WHAT DID IT RECOMMEND?

* Instead of just top-down testing and monitoring of performance, a bottom-up approach which tells those monitoring what works best, for whom and in what circumstances could also work.

* Whether it's worth tracking students' performance starting from childcare throughout the course of their school years.

* Parents no longer having to constantly give permission for access to their kids' data on health and medical research.

* A national test for Year One students could help identify kids who need early help.

(Source: Productivity Commission draft report "National Education Evidence Base").