Background paper: New approaches to persistent problems in Australia's schools
![](https://content.vu.edu.au/sites/default/files/styles/vu_large_16_9/public/media/images/capabilities-in-context-mitchell-institute.jpg?h=ff09e5bd&itok=LRXLgVxw)
The Mitchell Institute background paper was provided to panel members and forum participants as pre-reading for the Mitchell Institute New approaches to persistent problems policy forum.
Tuesday 1 April 2014
The Mitchell Institute background paper was provided to panel members and forum participants as pre-reading for the Mitchell Institute New approaches to persistent problems policy forum held in November 2013.
The background paper looks at existing data and research to provide a snapshot of the:
economic and social benefits of education
context for education reform in Australia
levels of government investment in education over the past decade
data relating to school disengagement and socioeconomic status.
The paper argues for increased investment in the early years, and looks at the challenges of proposed funding formulas.