Help guide real change in education in Tasmania, so every student has the support they need – whatever path they take.
Often when people talk about success at school, they focus on things like finishing Year 12, getting an ATAR or achieving the TCE.
For some students, these are important goals. But for many young Tasmanians, these measures don’t tell the whole story.
Because of this, some students and families feel that the way we talk about success at school doesn’t include them or what matters most to them.
What does success at school look like?
The Independent Education Review said defining success in a meaningful way for all learners would help Tasmanians better understand why education matters. Through the review, students told us that doing well at school is about much more than results or certificates. They said success should also include:
- building life skills
- growing as a person
- having choices about the future
- finding a pathway that suits them
- feeling able to contribute to their community and society.
At its best, education should help children and young people:
- grow in many ways – not just academically
- feel supported and valued
- believe in themselves
- feel hopeful about their future.
How do we define ‘doing well in education’?
This is why we’re working on a definition of educational success. We need a definition that recognises many different pathways and achievements, and values skills, effort and growth.
So far, our draft definition of educational success is:“Education helps me grow and gives me hope for our future. I’m connected, capable and confident — and ready for what’s next.”
This draft definition is a conversation starter. Every child and young person in Tasmania should see themselves in this definition.
Have your say
We’ve opened consultation this week across the Tasmanian education sector, so we can shape this definition together. We’re inviting children, young people, families and carers, educators, professionals in the sector and future employers to share their views.
Have your say by completing the Defining educational success survey by 19 June 2026:
If you’re facilitating a discussion, please collect feedback through:
- Discussion feedback form – for School Association, families and carers
- Discussion feedback form – for learners and DECYP staff teams.
To learn more, please visit our Defining education success webpage.
Thank you for helping shape the future of education.