Talking Solid

In partnership with the Community Development Foundation

In 2008, the Fogarty Foundation supported the Community Development Foundation through the Talking Solid program. The program is designed to increase the active participation and engagement of parents in schools and increase student attendance through exchanging an hourly commitment to the school in return for ‘points.’

Six schools from identified disadvantaged areas participated in the Talking Solid program. The outcomes and impacts have afforded the schools to make significant gains in parent participation, parent education, connection and engagement with the school, increased student attendance and participation, improved community relationships and the establishment of capital works at the school site.

All schools and communities benefitted from the Fogarty Foundation’s investment through finding a simple process of rewarding active participation by parents and students in schools. For example, Neerigen Brook Primary School was the demonstration school developing an effective school passport system which is now capable of being replicated across all schools – a ‘ripple effect.’

The schools located in Wyalkatchem, Quairading, Dalwallinu and West Northam utilised the Fogarty Foundation’s investment to benefit their school in a specific way, creating their own reward based programs based on their different situations.
Research conducted during 2008-09 indicated the benefits of the Talking Solid program and the successful development and implementation of the School Passport System at Neerigen Brook Primary School. Some of the positive outcomes and impacts of Talking Solid and the Passport concept in the school environment have been:

• Increased parent’s active engagement within the school.
• Students are able to see their parents interact with teachers and principals which reflect in a positive attitude of valuing the school.
• Increased student attendance – in one school 30 ‘at risk’ students showed increased attendance over the previous year.
• Teachers better managing behavioural challenges in the classroom.
• Teachers able to reward students.
• Improved student behaviour.
• Students being much more ‘on task’.

The Community Development Foundation is sourcing further funding and community support to expand the ‘school passport system’ and programs.