PLATO Media Release 26 June 2006 – for immediate release

"Teachers Fear Year 12 OBE English Tragedy"

"There is a looming tragedy for students of Year 12 OBE English next year", says an unnamed PLATO English teacher. PLATO spokesman Steve Kessell explained: "Sadly, many of our members fear retribution if they speak out using their real names."

Thousands of students, who have been part of the OBE Year 11 English experiment this year, will be subject to it again as they move into their final year of school next year.

Many English teachers are concerned about what these students will face in Year 12.

"These teachers are so demoralised by what has happened this year that many of them are taking leave or contemplating early retirement. Some are already on stress leave because of the new course," Kessell said.

The OBE English Sample Exam for Year 12, which has already been publicly discredited by teachers and academics, has not been replaced yet. English teachers have no idea what the Year 12 Exam will finally look like.

"This year's Year 11 OBE English course is regarded by many English teachers as a complete shambles, and is scheduled to move into Year 12 almost unchanged," Kessell notes. "Serious problems with Levelling and assessment are still unresolved. There is no comparability between what students are taught or learn from one school to another," he said.

"English is probably the most critical subject in Year 12. Success in English is required to achieve high school graduation, and a high level of performance in English is required for university entrance," Kessell claims.

Teachers are calling for a one-year delay before the OBE course moves into Year 12. They say that what has happened in Year 11 this year should be thoroughly evaluated, and that the many problems encountered need to be remedied, before it is safe to proceed with it to Year 12

"English teachers are particularly concerned about the uncertainty and anxiety that they and their students will continue to face in the final and most important year of schooling," Kessell said.