A new numeracy guarantee that will focus on upskilling teachers and providing resources for parents will be introduced across South Australia to lift maths results.

The guarantee, which follows South Australia’s introduction of a numeracy check for year 1 students in 2026, is part of improvement reforms that make up part of the recently signed Gonski agreement.

Announced in January, the Agreement will see an increase in State and Australian Government public school funding – taking the total increase in funding to $1.25 billion over the next 10 years.

The Australian Government will raise its public schools funding from 20% to 25% of the Schooling Resource Standard (SRS) and the State Government will continue to contribute an overall share of 75% of the SRS for public schools.

This Bilateral Agreement supports the goals of the Better and Fairer Schools Agreement – Full and Fair Funding 2025 – 2034, signed in January. It marks a major change to how public schools in South Australia will be funded.

This Agreement will guarantee that South Australia’s public schools are fully funded under the Gonski model, reaching 100% of the SRS.

The new Agreement means more money, more resources and more support will be provided to public schools over the next decade to ensure every child, in every school, has a fair go.

As part of the Agreement, there are key improvement measures that will be focused on to lift results and ensure supports for students are targeted.

A major change to South Australia will be the introduction of a numeracy guarantee.

South Australia led the charge with ensuring maths improvements were included in the Agreement – following its numeracy check trial – being the first state in the country to have both literacy and numeracy checks for year 1 students.

The numeracy guarantee will include:

• Upskilling for all primary school maths curriculum leaders to drive whole-school maths improvement.
• A new academy to support all early career teachers in teaching maths more effectively.
• More professional learning for teachers in maths – starting at preschool and going across year levels.
• Free online numeracy resources for all parents to use with their children.
• An improved SA mathematics curriculum so students gain the mathematical knowledge and find joy in math.
• Roll out of the numeracy check for year 1 students in all public schools.

The numeracy guarantee means all public school students will have access to a world-leading maths curriculum, with teachers better trained in teaching mathematics, and parents having the tools they need to best support their child with mathematics.

These efforts are aligned with the latest Grattan Institute report: ‘The Maths Guarantee’, which calls for better teacher training, more support for schools to teach maths, and making improving maths a priority in all schools.

The historic Gonski Agreement also furthers the goals of the department’s Strategy for Public Education in South Australia, with equity and excellence, wellbeing, and a sustainable workforce the priority reform areas to improve student results and help all students to learn and thrive.

The additional funding is also tied to other reforms, including:

• Support for students through anti-bullying and violence prevention initiatives.
• Supporting a strong and sustainable workforce through attraction and retention initiatives, and training and mentorship opportunities.
• More tailored supports such as small group tutoring.
• Increasing attendance rates.
• Supporting transitions from school to the workforce.