Independent Schools Victoria Compliance Framework

Data collection required for the Australian Government under the Schools Assistance (Learning Together - Achievement through Choice and Opportunity) Act 2004 (Cth.)

Student background characteristics data collection

Please scroll to the bottom of the page for contacts and links

Do you need to comply?

Yes, under the Schools Assistance Act 2008 (Cth.).

Conditions of compliance

Schools and school systems must collect student background information as required by State and Territory Education Ministers. The purpose is to enable nationally comparable reporting of students' outcomes against the National Goals for Schooling in the Twenty-First Century.

Schools and school systems need to collect background information on relevant students using agreed questions through the school enrolment process. The resulting information is stored in the school's administrative system and then supplied to testing agents so that it can be linked with data gained from students' test results.

The relevant background data is linked to students' national literacy and numeracy test forms and to the test forms of students selected to participate in national sample assessments at Year 6. The information is then used to report on students' performance by the agreed background characteristics in the annual National Report on Schooling in Australia (ANR).

If you have to comply, what do you have to do?

Collect student data in relation to:

• Sex
• Indigenous status
• Socioeconomic background
• Country of birth
• Language background
• Main language other than English spoken in the home
• Parental educational attainment
• Parental occupation

Geographic location data is also required, but is collected through a separate process.

Report data to the Victorian Curriculum and Assessment Authority (VCAA) or other testing agent when requested.

What are the consequences if you don't comply?

Independent schools receive funding from the Australian Government under the Schools Assistance Act 2008 (Cth.) subject to the conditions which are set out in the Act. To receive funding, the school must sign a funding agreement with the Department of Education, Employment and Workplace Relations (DEEWR) covering the 2009-2012 quadrennium.

The student background characteristics data collection is a condition under the Act.

Who will help you?

Independent Schools Victoria contact:

Peter Roberts
Director, School Services
Ph. 03 9825 7211
peter.roberts@independentschools.vic.edu.au

Independent Schools Victoria documents:

Click here to download a sample data collection form (doc)

Click here to download an information sheet for parents (PDF)

Click here to download the Independent Schools Victoria presentation (PDF)

Other links:

Click here to download the MCEECDYA Data Implementation Manual

Contact the VCAA on 03 9651 4472 or 1800 820 122

Submitted 3/27/2006, edited 1/11/2008.