Quality of education in Australia: report of the Review Committee, April 1985 [Karmel report]

On 14 August 1984, the then Minister for Education, Senator the Hon. Susan Ryan, announced the appointment of the Quality of Education Review Committee to 'develop strategies for the Commonwealth Government in its involvement in primary and secondary education, for raising the standards attained by students in communication, literacy and numeracy and for improving the relationship between secondary schooling and subsequent employment and education'. Under the terms of reference, it was expected that the report would include advice on specific issues, including: 'for secondary schools,...  [+] Show more

On 14 August 1984, the then Minister for Education, Senator the Hon. Susan Ryan, announced the appointment of the Quality of Education Review Committee to 'develop strategies for the Commonwealth Government in its involvement in primary and secondary education, for raising the standards attained by students in communication, literacy and numeracy and for improving the relationship between secondary schooling and subsequent employment and education'. Under the terms of reference, it was expected that the report would include advice on specific issues, including: 'for secondary schools, the need to ensure that strongly rising participation in Years 11 and 12 is associated with the attainment of appropriate standards relevant to subsequent employment opportunities and improved preparation for tertiary education; [and] in each of the school systems, the need to encourage a greater proportion of girls to pursue subjects leading towards better employment prospects or greater opportunities for tertiary education'. The report of the Committee, chaired by Peter Karmel, has had significant impact on efforts to try and determine the skills required by those entering the world of work.