Building Connection Spring 2018

36 / 76

3 6 BUILDING CONNECTION Spring 2019
Greg Cheetham has been
a construction worker,
shopfitter and detail
joiner for most of his life,
including nearly 30 years
in VET as a teacher and
manager.
MITP CLASS’ AVERAGE IMPROVEMENT
2018 NAPLAN NUMERACY Y9
MITP CLASS AVERAGE GROWTH VS NON MITP CLASSES AVERAGE GROWTH
judgment. The ‘Project Based
Assessment’ approach has the
advantage of better reflecting their
mathematics learning achievements.
The results from the first groups
were analysed in 2018 with what I
think are remarkable results. For many
participants it was their first real
engagement with maths in this way. The
trial showed a marked improvement
with reduction of E grades, with 5
students achieving top grades at the
end of semester 2.
The 2018 NAPLAN showed MITP class’
average improvement exceeded other
Year 9 classes by 29%.
What was even more exciting was a
66% (2018 MITP students) reduction
in the number of school suspensions
given to students in MITP, significantly
reduced from 13 in 2016 (No MITP
program) and then 11 in 2017 (first year
MITP was run) to just 4 in 2018. The trial
unmistakably demonstrated greater
student participation and success in
mathematics.
Following on from the successful
trial, over 20 high schools have signed
on to introduce the MITP program in
2019. The trial has expanded to include
years 10 and 11 with a year 12 MITP trial
planned for 2020.
The first full graduates of the MITP
will be announced by the end of 2021
by which stage ut is hoped 200-plus
schools will adopt it as teaching model.
As part of ongoing research, each
student in a Trade Readiness or VETiS
course is given a Unique Student
Identifier number (USI). The USI is
used to track and record training and
qualifications gained through any
recognised training organisation (RTO).
This way they will be able to track
through to completion any student that
goes into an apprenticeship.
Other states and territories are
watching the progress of the trials
and developing project based and
experiential learning models for their
students
John Meng believes the key to
ongoing success for the MITP is to
work to engage industry with schools
and teachers to make the benefits of
a career in building and construction
known to students and help unpack the
literacy, numeracy and interpersonal
skills that a successful apprentice must
develop.
If you’re a teacher, trainer or
concerned parent of a secondary
student/s and think your students,
sons or daughters could benefit
from this approach, contact Andrew
Bryson from the Apprenticeship
Engagement Forum via www.
.
au
Or simply forward this article onto
your local high school and encourage
them to make contact.
JOINERY SKILLS - GREG CHEETHAM
10
Frequency
ExamMark
MITP Class Non MITP Class
8
6
4
2
0
60.0
50.7
39.3
50.0
40.0
30.0
20.0
10.0
0.0
0 10 20 30 40 50 60 70 80 90 100
Sem 1 Marks Sem 2 Marks