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Schoolgauge undertakes school comparisons to identify the best schools in Perth.
The analysis is presented in newsletters, available here or on the navigation panel on the left.
We use the national literacy and numeracy test scores (NAPLAN), year 12 outcomes and socioeconomic status of the primary and secondary schools to compare schools on the basis of the value they add to their students.
Our aim is to not only provide high quality, reliable information to parents but also to advance the quality of education in Western Australia.
Please note that the analysis presented on this site was undertaken in mid-2009. We will be updating this analysis in mid-2010 following the 2010 NAPLAN tests.
Who is Schoolgauge?
We are parents who started compiling and analysing data so that we could make the best school choices for our children and our friends' children. We then decided to share our knowledge by establishing Schoolgauge. We have experience in education policy and statistical analysis. We are independent. We don't work for the Western Australian education department or for any of the schools that we are analysing.
It's important to us that we are a neutral organisation with no vested interest other than to respond to the needs of parents. We don't have a profit motive and we will never accept any funding from government.
We're just here for you, to give you the sort of information that should be available but isn't.
If you are interested in helping with the analysis or the collection of data, know of a data source that we could use, or want to discuss anything, please email us at schoolgauge@gmail.com.
Providing you with information you can rely on
We have been focussing so far on why some schools get higher TEE results than other schools in any particular year.
There are generally three factors that are important. One is the ability of the students themselves. Another is the resources available to the parents and the expectations they place on their children. The last is the effectiveness of the school at teaching.
Our analysis can explain around 90 per cent of the reason for differences in TEE results between schools. That means that we can be quite confident at predicting where schools will rank in the league tables published by the Curriculum Council each year.
The important thing to us is to provide league tables that rank schools on the basis of the effectiveness of teaching within a school. To do this, we need to isolate the effects of the students and families. The statistical techniques that we use do this quite nicely.
The school choice decision
Should you go private? Is it worth the cost? Should you move to another suburb to access a better public school? Moving suburbs is also costly. Is it best to simply send your children to the local public high school? You might be moving to Perth and want to know which suburb to settle in.
On this site you have access to the school ranking tables that can help with those decisions.
There are other factors, however, that are important when deciding on a school. We would encourage you to visit the school and get a feeling for the place. Observe the children and how they interact. Speak to the principal and some of the teachers. Ensure that they have high expectations for their students and that there are policies to ensure the school is a safe learning environment. Also, look at the school's annual report - they are available on the internet.
Disclaimer and Indemnity
The data in this web site has been compiled in good faith by Schoolgauge. The material is made available on the understanding that Schoolgauge is not thereby engaged in rendering professional advice. Whilst Schoolgauge will use its best endeavours to maintain accurate information on this web site, before relying on the material users should carefully evaluate its accuracy, currency, completeness and relevance for their own purposes, and should obtain appropriate advice relevant to their particular circumstances. Schoolgauge makes no representation or warranty, expressed or implied, as to the accuracy, currency, completeness, or reliability of the information contained in this web site. Furthermore, Schoolgauge accepts no liability whatsoever for any loss that may be incurred (including but not limited to any expense) of any nature whatsoever arising directly or indirectly from the provision of the material on the web site or any reliance upon it, or the inclusion in it or omission from it of any material, or anything done or not done in reliance on it, including in all cases, without limitation, loss that may be due in whole or part to the negligence of Schoolgauge. |