The federal government is negotiating with cross-bench senators in an effort to sure up the 10 votes it needs to pass its schools funding package.
The plan to inject an extra $18.6 billion into schools over the next decade and move to a needs-based funding model is scheduled for Senate debate on Wednesday.
The coalition has offered a compromise to the Greens that includes getting money to schools faster than the planned 10 years, more accountability over state government funding, and an independent watchdog.
But the Greens have indicated they might take longer than a week to make a decision about which way their nine crucial Senate votes will fall.
Greens leader Richard Di Natale has told Sky News he wants to go over the deal in detail.
Liberal Democrat Senator David Leyonhjelm (lion-helm) says he isn't totally happy with the Turnbull government's proposed model.
But he's told the A-B-C, it's better than what is currently in place.
Education Minister Simon Birmingham has told the A-B-C .. he wants it to pass before parliament rises at the end of the week for a long winter break.
Senator Birmingham has warned some of the country's wealthiest schools will receive more than $1.6 billion extra under existing Labor funding rules should parliament reject the government's new funding model.
But Labor Education spokeswoman Tanya Plibersek says that's not true.
The Australian Education Union is urging the Greens and cross-bench senators to block the schools funding legislation in its current form.
Federal President Correna Haythorpe has told Sky News.. greater transparency in the process is urgently needed.
