GU ID EL INES FOR USING G UEST
SPEAKERS
School and agency interaction
In health/drug education, some schools will draw on community agencies and guest
presenters to complement their drug education programs. Schools should determine
how optimum use of these resources and services can be achieved.
Key points for schools to consider when using guest speakers:
 If schools are using external resources and services they should identify the
benefit of an external consultant conducting a session with students in preference
to school personnel.
 Consideration should always be given to school policy and philosophy and the
principles that influence effective school drug education practices. (Refer to the
Department of Education, Science and Training, Overarching framework informing policy and
practice in school education – Principles for school drug education, 2003.)
 It is necessary to determine what learning outcomes will result from the
presentation.
 Schools need to ask the agency or presenter questions in order to determine how
his/her/their philosophies relate to current schools and system practices and
government policy.
 Guest presenters have sometimes been asked to present a session in response
to a particular behavioural problem related to drug use at school. Research
indicates that an isolated “one off” presentation to students has little positive
impact on health/drug behaviour. For this reason, presentations outside the
context of a planned program are not recommended.
 Schools considering using guest presenters for a single session need to
understand that it is difficult to cover information, attitudes and values and provide
opportunities for skill development in a single session. It is important that the
school is clear about the particular aspects the presenter is to cover and consider
what may be covered in class before and after the “one off” session.
 Schools should be cautious about using a guest speaker who intends to present
his/her/their own drug-related testimonials that are not linked to positive learning
outcomes as outlined in the school program.
GU EST SPEAK ER CHECKL IST
Have the following questions been considered?

Does the guest speaker fit within the Western Australian Drug Strategy
Policy Framework?
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Is a cost involved? Do all students have access to the presentation or is it
user-pays?
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What is the purpose of the presentation?
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What will have occurred in the program prior to the session?
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Have the learning outcomes of the proposed session been clearly outlined?
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Because the teacher is responsible/accountable for the teaching/learning
of the students, can the use of a presenter be justified?
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Will the presenter enhance rather than replace the role of the class teacher?
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What is the presenter’s prior experience with presenting sessions to
school-aged children?
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Will the presenter be briefed on the program into which this presentation
fits and the class?
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Does the school have a health/drug education policy? A copy should be
made available to the agency before the session.
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How will the parents be informed of the presentation?
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Is there an information session available for parents?
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Will the presentation be part of an ongoing comprehensive program?
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Are the materials and information appropriate to the development
level of the student?
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Do the resources need to be previewed by the relevant committee in
the school community before being used with students?
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Do the resources reflect good practice?
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Do the resources reflect the policy of the school and its philosophy?
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What follow up will be done with the students and by whom? What
school staff will be present during the session?
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(Adapted from NIDE, Commonwealth Department of Human Services & Health, (1996) Drug
Education: Do it together school and agency interaction, Canberra