The Resource Allocation Model (RAM) will see NSW Principals take greater control of their budgets in 2013 school year.  State and Federal government reforms take effect in NSW public schools, including plans for more Principal autonomy. A significant reform to give more local decision making authority to schools to enhance student learning outcomes based on local needs.

In the current funding system principals can only make decisions about how 10% of the total public school education budget is spent. Under the new RAM, principals will be able to make decisions about more than 70% of the total public school education budget. Our current funding system is driven by a basic school funding formula which means a small number of students, leaving a school, can trigger a disproportionate reduction of staff and funding. The new model will give more certainty to schools about their staff resource levels.

We know that schools and students are not all the same. The Resource Allocation Model (RAM) builds on educational research, student and school data to allocate funding so that the students and schools with greater need get more resources.

The current model of equity program funding means that schools who qualify for certain programs get additional resources and schools that don`t qualify miss out. RAM funding will reflect the level of need of the students in all schools.

The first schools that will transition into the new RAM will be the 229 participating in the Empowering Local Schools National Partnership.

Source:  NSW Education Department, go to www.det.nsw.edu.au