School Accountability and Improvement Framework

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School Review

The school review is a key component of the Accountability and Improvement Framework in Victorian government schools, and is designed to provide an expert, independent analysis of current school performance and practice, and to advise on the goals for student outcomes and appropriate key improvement strategies that will help shape the school's new strategic plan.

Schools undertake different types of review to reflect their particular needs.

The types of review are as follows:

  • Negotiated review - is flexible and focused, whereby the school uses a critical friend to examine a specific area for improvement identified from the school self-evaluation.  This type of review is usually used for schools with student outcomes and other key indicators above expected levels, although the school's capacity to manage such a review is also considered.
  • Continuous improvement review - involves a pre-visit from the reviewer, a day-long review panel meeting with the principal, school council president and key staff (which can incorporate a focus group with students), plus a report to staff and the school council.  This type of review is usually for schools with satisfactory student outcomes and other key indicators, but with scope for improvement.
  • Diagnostic review - follows a similar structure to continuous improvement review but provides additional fieldwork time (total of two days). It is used for schools with some student outcomes and other key indicators below expected levels, or where the circumstances of the school are complex, such as a multi-campus school, a P-12 school, a school with a large number of students with disabilities, or a recently amalgamated school.
  • Extended diagnostic review – follows a similar structure to diagnostic review but provides additional fieldwork time (total of four days).

"It gave the school community a valuable and opportune time to reflect and evaluate the school's performance at all levels. The guidelines were a valuable and easily used tool. It gave the school an opportunity to have a very valuable and formal discussion with two experienced reviewers who have a vast knowledge of schools, in particular special schools. The outcome from the review was very helpful in setting a clear direction for the strategic plan." - Principal, Warracknabeal Special Developmental School

Further information about school review can be found in the School Review Guidelines (PDF - 945Kb).

See also, the Summary of information sources that can be used in school self-evaluation and school review (PDF - 29Kb). It is not a prescriptive nor exhaustive document but rather another source of information for schools to consider when developing their school self-evaluation.

Resources

 As examples of schools' negotiated review reports, see: