Evaluation of Educational Provisions for Isolated Children Enrolled with the Primary Correspondence School in Queensland.

Because of geographical isolation, a number of Queensland children cannot attend regular primary schools, and their education must be based at home. In 1979, 1,528 children were enrolled in the Primary Correspondence School. Children in the program receive lesson papers, textbooks and audio-visual items in the major subject areas of language arts, mathematics and social studies. Some art and science instruction is also conducted. Exercises undertaken by the child are mailed to the school where they are graded and returned within two days. Comments on audio tapes guide both the pupil and home supervisor and promote interaction between pupils and teachers. A little over half of the children in the program are also enrolled in the Schools of the Air and so receive instruction by means of two-way radio broadcasts. Forty classes are offered with time for each class limited to approximately 30 minutes per day. Other educational services in the program include itinerant teacher home visits, four or five day mini-schools, a mobile classroom, and summer camp programs. In addition to describing the enrollment, services and curriculum of both the Primary Correspondence School and the Schools of the Air, this report discusses other agencies involved, implications of the school, and issues for further investigation. Appended are lists of the materials provided to the students, daily study timetables, and sample lesson papers. (DS)