ABSTRACT
The global education race is on. School systems around the world focus on ‘raising the bar’ in order to achieve ‘educational excellence’ and higher ranks in international league tables. National and international tests keep teachers and schools on course. At the end of the day, however, teachers are held accountable for that. This chapter suggest an alternative theory of change for Australia. Flipping the system to move from accountability and control to trust and empowerment requires three bold education policy transformations: (1) From state-led to school-based curriculum; (2) from standardised teaching to individualised learning; and (3) from funding schools equally to invest in equity strategically. Australia has many advantages to build great schools for all of its children. This chapter concludes that rather than launch another massive education reform, Australia should flip the system by empowering its highly capable teachers and schools to lead the way towards more equitable education.
