The Productivity Commission has released its interim report on the review of the National School Reform Agreement (NSRA).

The NSRA outlines eight key national reforms including reviewing teacher workforce needs and senior secondary pathways, strengthening initial teacher education, online formative assessment and national unique student identifiers.

The interim report said to lift student outcomes the Commonwealth, states and territories need to forge a new agreement focused on driving effective change in schools and classrooms with greater weight on overall student wellbeing, and improving equity and quality teaching.

“The NSRA was a promising start and shows the commitment of jurisdictions to work together," Commissioner Natalie Siegel-Brown said in a media release.

"It has put in place some important foundational elements, such as establishing the Australian Education Research Organisation, but more work still needs to be done to deliver on the ambition of the agreement.

“Our interim report proposes governments concentrate on the areas where we believe their working together will make the greatest difference."

The interim report recommends the next NSRA focus on a smaller number of reforms such as quality teaching, ensuring all students meet minimum standards, specific strategies for equity groups such as students living in out of home care, and supporting wellbeing initiatives that lead to improved student learning.

The National Catholic Education Commission will be leading the response to the interim findings on behalf of the Catholic education sector and Catholic education authorities have been invited to contribute to this process.

The final report will then be considered by the Australian Government and will inform the next NSRA, including the national school priority initiatives and associated funding.

Responses to the interim report are open until 21 October and can be submitted via the Productivity Commission's website.

Photo courtesy of the Queensland Catholic Education Commission.