Tell Us 2010 – the results are in…

Seven thousand young people across Australia have had their say in Tell Us, the country’s biggest national student survey on school education. The survey results, released by The Foundation for Young Australians (FYA) on 12 August reveal that secondary students want a more active role and a greater voice in their schooling.

Nearly half of students surveyed said they don’t help decide how their school runs, while only four in ten students agreed that their school listens to what they have to say.

Drew Arthurson, Acting CEO at FYA, said, “What we’ve heard from students throughout this campaign, and in other FYA initiatives, is that they not only want a bigger say in their education but also have great ideas and real enthusiasm to improve Australian schools. That’s why we’ll continue to develop the Tell Us platform alongside students to amplify their voices and ensure that their views are heard loud and clear by decision makers.”

Sixteen year-old Lucinda Donaldson, Year 11 student at Sandringham Secondary College, VIC and participant in Tell Us, said, “I think lots of students want to become more involved in what happens at their school. We’re the ones actually in the classrooms and doing the learning. Maybe the government, teachers and parents need to start listening to us more if they really want to understand what makes students feel successful in school and encourages us to learn,” she said.

Tell Us also had some positive findings about how Australian schools prepare students for a successful future and develop important skills. Out of all students surveyed:

• 57% agreed or strongly agreed that school helps them reach my full potential;
• 58% agreed or strongly agreed that what they learn at school is relevant to their life;
• 57% agreed or strongly agreed that school helps them develop their most important skills.

Read a summary of the Tell Us 2010 results here

Review the full Tell Us 2010 results here