South Australia is dedicating $48.3 million over the next three years to a new education initiative called Tailored Learning. This significant funding aims to support vulnerable secondary students from Year 8 up to age 21 who have disconnected from school. The program will provide personalized support to help them overcome barriers like mental health challenges, unstable housing, and family issues, reconnecting them with their education.
Expanding Support for a Wider Reach
The Tailored Learning initiative is a statewide expansion of a strategy that was successfully tested in 12 public high schools. It builds upon the foundation of the Flexible Learning Options (FLO) program, which has been active since 2007. The goal is to make this enhanced support available in every public school with secondary students.
Blair Boyer, the Minister for Education, Training and Skills, stressed the need for a flexible approach. “We have long recognized that education is not one-size-fits-all,” he stated. “This program is about reconnecting young people with their learning in a way that works best for them.”
Currently, the FLO program serves 4,360 students across 85 schools, but more than 40 schools do not offer it. The new funding ensures that support is consistent and accessible to any eligible student, no matter which school they attend. The emphasis is on providing this help within the school itself, keeping students connected to their teachers and peers.
What the New Tailored Learning Program Offers
The redesigned program gives schools more control over the support provided to students. It focuses on integrating services directly into the school environment rather than sending students to off-site locations. This creates a more stable and supportive atmosphere for learning.
The key features are designed to address each student’s unique situation.
| Feature | Description |
|---|---|
| Individualized Support | Personalized learning plans are created based on each student’s specific needs and challenges. |
| On-site Staff | More school-based staff will be trained to provide specialized support and guidance. |
| Flexible Learning Options | Includes part-time or full-time study, vocational courses, online learning, and work placements. |
| Monitoring and Follow-up | Student engagement and progress are tracked continuously to ensure the support is effective. |
This model helps build a stronger sense of community and makes it easier for students to stay engaged and achieve their academic goals.
Promising Results from School Trials
The trial phase, which took place this year in 12 schools, has already shown remarkable success. Schools reported major improvements in student attendance and engagement after adding extra youth workers and other supports.
These early achievements highlight the program’s potential impact:
- Student Reengagement: Two students who had not been to school in two years have returned and are now working towards completing their SACE.
- Attendance Improvement: One student’s attendance dramatically increased from just 10 percent to 60 percent.
- Academic Success: A student who previously failed every subject is now achieving at least a C-grade in all their classes.
These outcomes demonstrate that tailored, in-school support can make a real difference by addressing the core reasons for student disengagement.
A New Approach for Schools like Parafield Gardens
Parafield Gardens High School is one of the schools set to benefit from the new funding. Principal Kirsty Amos explained how the initiative helps her school better connect with students facing difficulties. “We are aware that mainstream education structures and settings are not for everyone,” she said.
Amos added that Tailored Learning provides the flexibility needed to “meet the complex needs of young people and provide more opportunities to develop the skills and dispositions that they need to be successful.”
At the heart of the program is a tool that helps schools identify a student’s personal challenges and measure their engagement. This allows staff to develop the right support plan in collaboration with the student, focusing on their individual needs, skills, and interests. By investing in this comprehensive system, South Australia is building a more inclusive and effective education environment for its future generations.
