STUDENT performance targets are being lowered to make the state government look like it's doing a good job, according to the state opposition.
Subscribe now for unlimited access.
$0/
(min cost $0)
or signup to continue reading
Opposition education spokesman Michael Ferguson, citing Monday's report on cuts to education programs due to budget constraints, said that he was concerned that under Education Minister Nick McKim's watch, many targets were being altered to make them more achievable.
According to the 2011-12 budget papers, the year 7 reading target for 2011-12 was set at 95 per cent of students reaching the national minimum standards.
This financial year the target is 93.5 per cent.
The year 9 numeracy target last year was 94 per cent while this year it is down to 91.5 per cent.
``Nick McKim is doing Tasmanian students a disservice if he thinks the best way to deal with literacy and numeracy is dropping the targets so they are easier to achieve,'' Mr Ferguson said.
``It's a deception designed to make Nick McKim look good and hide the impact of his destructive budget cuts.''
Mr Ferguson initially raised his concerns about altering the targets in budget estimates in May.
At estimates, Mr McKim said that he did not interfere with the department setting targets but added they may be amended year-to-year ``to better reflect the most recent actuals''.
He said that he wanted to make sure the department set realistic targets.
Department deputy secretary Liz Banks said that as more data became available, targets were reassessed to make sure they were challenging and achievable.
``Most organisations that strive for best practice regularly review their targets, and the Department of Education is no different,'' she said.