Schools failing students to be put on notice Poor performing schools face increased scrutiny. SCHOOLS letting down their students are to be put on notice. At least once every four years a panel of at least two experts, likely to include a principal from another school and an external reviewer, will be called in to schools to conduct "intensive" four-day performance analyses. Schools performing below set performance thresholds will face even greater scrutiny. But the standards state schools will have to uphold are still being developed. The change is to begin at more than 50 schools this month. Policy papers reveal the Education Department will assemble an independent "priority review" team to conduct a "thorough diagnosis of the factors inhibiting the school's improvement." "The department has an obligation to respond when a school fails to demonstrate sufficient progress, or where there is other evidence of significant risk to students' achievement, well-being or engagement," the paper states. In such circumstances, the department will determine the level of support or intervention required to restore the ability and autonomy of that school to self-improve. The proposed performance thresholds will be released later this term. They are likely to include measures beyond literacy and numeracy, such as student well-being, engagement and inclusion, the paper states. From next year the reforms will also include mandatory annual school self-evaluations to ensure schools assess whether they are on track to achieve their goals. Results from all school reviews will be made public. Education Minister Martin Dixon said the annual evaluations would focus on the curriculum, student assessment, reporting, teaching practices and leadership to help schools identify strengths and areas for improvement. "We know that strong leadership, high expectations, consistency and a clear focus are the four key ingredients required in schools if they are to succeed in their improvement efforts," he said. Our vision is to build a system that is continually improving, where every student is able to make great progress in their learning and where we establish clear and ambitious expectations. Details of the State Government's plan for principal and teacher performance and development is expected soon.