Local schools across Bendigo have called for improved funding in the wake of widening learning gaps in classrooms.
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Bendigo Senior Secondary College principal Dale Pearce said it was disappointing Gonksi reforms had not been introduced to help combat the education gaps of five, six and even eight years.
The Grattan Institute earlier this weekend recommended targeted teaching methods after it found gaps of five to six years between the highest and lowest students in the classroom.
Mr Peace joined with several other local principals in saying gaps were nothing new and an ongoing challenge for teachers.
"They exist from the time students commence formal schooling," Mr Pearce said.
"Most often they tend to get wider...typically they span four or five years."
He said the significant research invested in the Gonski report was lying dormant.
"We've effectively seen no action on the recommendations of that report and that's a shame."
"The beauty of the Gonski model is it is based on student need, not on this school or that school."
"All schools – independent, Catholic, government – all have student need."
Eaglehawk Secondary College received the National Partnership funding – which targeted need on a school level – until it ceased three years ago.
Principal Noel Claridge said it made a huge difference to student learning.
"Our data demonstrates...we had the most significant improvement in learning growth the school had seen for a consider period of time," he said.
He said the money was valuable, as teachers received coaching on how to identify each student’s strengths and teach at their level.
"When teachers are able to teach at their optimum, it is the students who benefit the most from that,” he said.
He said a central focus was improving literacy levels, as it was a key driver of success across other academic fields.
Mr Claridge said he would welcome a better funding model, where money is allocated to where it will make the most difference.
He usually observed a three year gap in classrooms - teachers catering to a year above and a year below.
Girton Grammar headmaster Matthew Maruff said regular testing and a dedicated learning resource centre were vital to help students grow.
"Disparity in student ability within a single classroom is a really complex issue and something that teachers will always have to deal with," Mr Maruff said.
"We do not run composite age classes, to help narrow the learning gap in each classroom."
"Ultimately, it comes down to having great teachers and the need to provide them with the right training, tools and resources to do their job well.”