ABSTRACT
The most concrete manifestation of the Commonwealth government’s commitment to equality in Australia is the Disadvantaged Schools Program (DSP). Based on the concept of positive discrimination, the Program allocates each year about $50 million to around 1400 disadvantaged schools. Around 16 per cent of the students in both government and non-government schools benefit from the extra resources. In order to receive the additional funds, teachers and parents in the selected schools must work together to develop school level projects to improve the learning outcomes of the students. The proposals are considered by Program committees, containing both parents and teachers, and if approved are funded on an annual basis. In general, the projects are required to advance the overall objectives of the DSP-improved learning; more meaningful and enjoyable schooling; and closer relationships between the school and the community.
