The new guidelines aim to restore autonomy to schools on the structure of school reports.

Previously, schools were required to conform to a single mandated report format.

The guidelines state a ‘one-size-fits-all approach’ to reporting is being shunned to allow for reporting at the school level, rather than the system level.

Education Minister Martin Dixon said the guidelines were designed to improve flexibility and continued the government’s push towards greater autonomy in state schools.

“The government knows the one-size-fits-all approaches to student learning does not suit our flexible, autonomous Victorian school system,” he said.

“We want to make sure parents and families can understand what their child is learning, and how they are progressing, through a variety of easily adaptable reporting methods.” 

Horsham College school council president Rowan Smith welcomed any changes to reporting which would provide greater clarity for parents.

“I don’t think it’s a bad thing as long as it gives a greater or an easier level of understanding for parents so they can digest results more easily,” he said.

Mr Smith said he appreciated the work teachers put into reports and supported any reporting format which would make their jobs easier.

Rupanyup Primary School council president Rodney Weidemann said the push for student reports to be more individual would be a positive development.

He said any decision on altering reporting at Rupanyup would rest with the principal and school council.