Values Education Forums

The Australian Government announced in the 2004 Budget a funding commitment of $29.7 million to help make values education a core part of Australian schooling through support for:

• values education forums in every school in Australia
• drug education forums in every school
• clusters of schools showcasing good practice approaches in line with the national framework for values education
• curriculum and assessment resources for all schools to promote values education
• national partnership projects with parents, teachers, principals and teacher educators

Values forums offer schools the opportunity to consider the place of values education in their school policies and practices. Forums can assist schools in developing values education relevant to their communities. Schools should consider adopting whole-school approaches in developing plans through these forums. The forums may:

• reflect on school governance (school ethos, leadership and teaching practices, and student welfare policies); and/or
• improve working relationships within the education community (including students, parents, guardians and the community); and/or
• help develop student civic and social skills and build student character and resilience

Information regarding the forums was sent to schools in Term One 2005.

For information or an Expression of Interest please contact Jo McLean.