To what extent does the electoral district of Albert Park require additional government primary schools to be developed? Albert Park is an electoral district of the Victorian Legislative Assembly, Australia. It covers the inner-city suburbs of South Melbourne, Albert Park, Middle Park, Port Melbourne and St Kilda, (ABC.net.au, 2010). The volume of enrolments to attend government primary schools within the electorate increased significantly over the 5 year period between 2006 and 2011, with this number expected to rise substantially in the following 10 years between 2011 and 2021, (See Appendix 1.1). Due to the already constrained capacity at local primary schools within the electorate, the high level of population growth expected across the
…show more content…
Although several solid empirical studies explore the relationship between school size and various social and academic outcomes for students, size is not necessarily related to overcrowding. For example, schools with large enrolments may be below capacity, whereas even very small schools can be above capacity. However, although the amount of research into primary school overcrowding has been limited, studies that have been conducted indicate that overcrowded schools are a serious problem in many school systems, particularly in the inner cities, where space for new construction is at a premium and funding for such construction is limited. As a result, students find themselves trying to learn in spaces that were never intended to be classrooms, such as libraries and gymnasiums, as well as portable classrooms that occupy their playgrounds. It has been highlighted that each of these responses is short-term and accompanied by additional social and academic costs (2009, link). Despite the fact that research into the relationship between overcrowding and student learning has been limited, there is some evidence to suggest that overcrowding can have an adverse impact upon learning, (Hines, 1996). Many of these studies have been conducted in the United States of America and such studies include an investigation into overcrowded government primary schools in New York …show more content…
Additionally, qualitative information from interviews the author will undertake with principals of primary schools within the electorate, such as the Port Melbourne Primary School principal will further add to the author’s considerations within the paper. The afore mentioned ministers, The Hon. Mr Dixon, Mr Hulls and Mr Foley, as well as Mr Martin have all agreed to an interview with the author, therefore accessibility to relevant individuals should not be of any concern. In addition, quantitative data from such sources as the Department of Education and Early Childhood Development and The Australian Bureau of Statistics regarding enrolment and admissions numbers within the electorate will be gathered to substantiate the contention of the paper. Obtaining relevant statistics from both the organisations is of minimal concern as all data gathered by these organisations is public knowledge. The author will seek to extend upon any research that has previously been conducted, with this being achieved through quantifying the number of government funded primary schools that need to be developed within the electorate, thereby extending upon the findings of such papers as the afore mentioned Ernst & Young 2012
Although several solid empirical studies explore the relationship between school size and various social and academic outcomes for students, size is not necessarily related to overcrowding. For example, schools with large enrolments may be below capacity, whereas even very small schools can be above capacity. However, although the amount of research into primary school overcrowding has been limited, studies that have been conducted indicate that overcrowded schools are a serious problem in many school systems, particularly in the inner cities, where space for new construction is at a premium and funding for such construction is limited. As a result, students find themselves trying to learn in spaces that were never intended to be classrooms, such as libraries and gymnasiums, as well as portable classrooms that occupy their playgrounds. It has been highlighted that each of these responses is short-term and accompanied by additional social and academic costs (2009, link). Despite the fact that research into the relationship between overcrowding and student learning has been limited, there is some evidence to suggest that overcrowding can have an adverse impact upon learning, (Hines, 1996). Many of these studies have been conducted in the United States of America and such studies include an investigation into overcrowded government primary schools in New York …show more content…
Additionally, qualitative information from interviews the author will undertake with principals of primary schools within the electorate, such as the Port Melbourne Primary School principal will further add to the author’s considerations within the paper. The afore mentioned ministers, The Hon. Mr Dixon, Mr Hulls and Mr Foley, as well as Mr Martin have all agreed to an interview with the author, therefore accessibility to relevant individuals should not be of any concern. In addition, quantitative data from such sources as the Department of Education and Early Childhood Development and The Australian Bureau of Statistics regarding enrolment and admissions numbers within the electorate will be gathered to substantiate the contention of the paper. Obtaining relevant statistics from both the organisations is of minimal concern as all data gathered by these organisations is public knowledge. The author will seek to extend upon any research that has previously been conducted, with this being achieved through quantifying the number of government funded primary schools that need to be developed within the electorate, thereby extending upon the findings of such papers as the afore mentioned Ernst & Young 2012