Independent Schools Victoria Compliance Framework

The Literacy, Numeracy and ESL component of the Australian Government's Literacy, Numeracy and Special Learning Needs (LNSLN) (ESL) Program.

Literacy, Numeracy and English as a Second Language (ESL)

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Do you need to comply?

Yes, if your school receives funding for students who meet the eligibility criteria outlined in the Literacy, Numeracy and English as a Second Language (ESL) component of the Literacy, Numeracy and Special Learning Needs (LNSLN) Program.

Conditions of compliance

This program provides supplementary funding for additional assistance for the most educationally disadvantaged students who require extra help to achieve an appropriate standard of learning. This funding may be used to support activities such as:

• literacy and numeracy intervention programs
• additional specialist learning assistance
• purchase of relevant classroom resources and equipment

Full fee paying overseas students are not eligible for assistance.

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

1. Assess each student to determine if they meet the criteria for inclusion in this program. For example, students from K (or equivalent) to Year 12 including special school students, who may face barriers to effective participation in school and who:
   • Are not achieving or at risk of not achieving a national benchmark standard of literacy and/or numeracy or other appropriate standard of achievement; and/or
   • Require additional assistance to reach an appropriate standard of achievement.

Educational disadvantage may be associated with a range of factors such as disability or learning difficulty, a language background other than English, Aboriginal or Torres Strait Islander background, low socio-economic background or geographical isolation.

2. Collect assessment evidence to substantiate the eligibility for including each student in the program.
3. Participate in National Testing.
4. Complete an Expression of Interest application form available from Independent Schools Victoria to access funding. Applications are assessed on merit against specified criteria. These criteria may include:
   • An overview of the planned outcomes for the project
   • Identification of the planned learning outcomes for students
   • Processes for the identification of the students included in the project
   • Opportunities for professional learning
   • Evaluation mechanisms
   • Appropriate budgeting
5. Undertake the approved activities as outlined in the school's funding application within the specified timelines.
6. Obtain approval form Independent Schools Victoria for any proposed changes to the approved activities outlined in the funding application.
7. Participate in any evaluation project/s relating to the funding.
8. Provide data as required by the Australian Government or Independent Schools Victoria in order to meet accountability or program requirements.
9. Use the funding together with any interest earned only for the purposes of the approved projects in the calendar year specified for the approved projects.
10. Meet financial and accountability requirements as specified by the Australian Government and as requested by Independent Schools Victoria .
11. Pay to Independent Schools Victoria an amount equalling any unexpended grant funds within 28 days of a request by Independent Schools Victoria or the appropriate Australian Government Minister.
12. Agree to the right of Independent Schools Victoria to release funding details for schools under this program when reporting to the Australian Government and to the sector, providing that this data does not enable users of the information to identify individual students.
13. Agree to host visits from Australian Government and/or Independent Schools Victoria representatives as required.
14. Follow the guidelines for copyright as specified by the Australian Government for this program.

What are the consequences if you don't comply?

You may be required to return any funding received.

Who will help you?

Independent Schools Victoria contact:

Aine Maher
Director, Education Services
Ph. 03 9825 7226
aine.maher@independentschools.vic.edu.au

Click here to go to the Independent Schools Victoria website

Other links:

DEEWR: Australian Government programs for Schools Quadrennial Administrative Guidelines 2009 to 2012

DEEWR: Literacy, Numeracy and Special Learning Needs Program

Submitted 26/6/2006, edited 18/8/2010