The Ministers of Education in all states and territories have made a commitment that partnerships between schools with significant enrolments of Indigenous students and their Indigenous communities will be formalised through written agreements by 2010.

Ministers have requested that these agreements

• are expressed in plain language;
• enable broad community engagement in the selection of the school principal and teaching staff;
• enable community input into all school planning and decision-making processes;
• establish agreement on school goals and policies relating to matters such as attendance and academic achievement;
• provide greater flexibility in the development and adaptation of curricula, while maintaining high educational standards;
• provide flexibility in the operation of the school and use of resources;
• are referred to Indigenous Education Consultative Bodies for information; and
• are sustainable over time, irrespective of change of principal, and renegotiated to suit changing demands.