Flexible learning program reconnects students with education

Mission Australia has issued a call for long-term commitment to a flexible learning program for disadvantaged students. An evaluation report from the University of Adelaide showed the Flexible Learning Options (FLO) program in South Australia had a "significant transformative" impact on young disadvantaged students. Mission Australia regional leader Adam Sherwood said the program was designed to re-engage high school students with learning, and assigns caseworkers to students to achieve this. “There are very few programs like FLO that work to address the root causes as to why a young person isn’t engaging with learning, such as mental health concerns, bullying, homelessness, intergenerational poverty or low literacy levels," he said. “FLO offers a flexible, person-centred, practical approach to address the complex issues that stand between a young person and their future aspirations, while also working to immediately ensure stable reconnection of that young person with learning in a way that works best for them. “The evaluation highlighted that the tailored classroom support provided through FLO teachers and our caseworkers has a significant positive impact on a young person’s confidence, self-organisation and self-reliance. This helps them to re-engage and successfully participate with learning and achieve learning outcomes. “This program is vital in helping vulnerable young people to build important life skills, which increases their potential to become productive, responsible and socially engaged and informed adults.” Following the successful evaluation, Mission Australia has now encouraged the South Australian government to continue the FLO program on a long-term basis. “We encourage the South Australian government to continue the FLO program for the long term and we urge other governments to consider replicating this vital program so that more young people in need can benefit from such a flexible and supportive approach to support and learning," he said. “Unfortunately, there are too many young people in South Australia and across the nation who are falling through the cracks which has significant impacts on our nation’s productivity and the life and health outcomes of students. "This is why we are calling for continued government commitment to this evidence based program that has clear and positive outcomes.”