Department of Education Learners first, connected and inspired. School Attendance. Procedures

Transcription

1 Department f Educatin Learners first, cnnected and inspired Schl Attendance Prcedures

2 Schl Attendance Prcedures Table f Cntents Schl Attendance Scpe (audience and applicability) Purpse Definitins Prcedure Details Legal Requirements Recrding attendance Excusing attendance Nn-attendance Exemptins frm attendance Implementing part time attendance Backgrund infrmatin Prcedure fr when a schl initiates an applicatin fr part-time attendance Prcedure fr when a parent applies fr their child t be granted part-time attendance Prcedure fr when an independent student applies t be granted part-time attendance Rles and respnsibilities Assciated dcuments and materials Appendix 1: Infectius diseases Appendix 2: Applicatin fr Part-time Attendance Appendix 3: Certificate f Part-time Attendance Please refer t the nline cpy f this dcument (TASED ), lcated n the Tasmanian Department f Educatin s website fr the mst recent Versin. P a g e 2

3 1. Scpe (audience and applicability) These prcedures apply t schl-aged children living in Tasmania and wh are eligible t be enrlled in Tasmanian gvernment schls. These prcedures must be fllwed t cmply with the Enrlment, Attendance and Participatin Plicy. 2. Purpse The aim f these prcedures is t prvide clarity and detail fr schls in relatin t the requirements fr schl attendance under the Educatin Act Definitins Independent student: a student wh lives independently, supprts himself/herself financially and lives away frm his/her parents r guardians. An independent student is required t prvide evidence f his/her independent status. Parent: includes guardian r ther persn having the care r cntrl f a child. Part-time attendance: when a student is enrlled in a schl but is participating part-time in an educatinal prgram endrsed by the schl. Schl: under the Educatin Act means a state schl and a centre, unit r institute f the state r TasTAFE, which prvides educatinal instructin at any level up t, and including, the final year f secndary educatin; and a schl registered by the Schl Registratin Bard (independent and Cathlic schls). Schl-aged child: defined under the Educatin Act and refers t a child wh is at least five years f age as at 1 January in any year, and wh unless exempted r excused under the Educatin Act 1994, must be enrlled at a schl r be prvided with hme educatin fr that year and subsequent years until the child cmpletes the schl year during which he r she attains the age f 16 years. Schl prgram: includes schl endrsed prgram (including ff-site prvisin) as utlined in a student s persnalised learning plan. 4. Prcedure Details 4.1 Legal Requirements A parent f a schl-aged child must ensure that the child either: attends the schl each day as required by the principal participates in an individual educatinal prgram receives hme educatin Please refer t the nline cpy f this dcument (TASED ), lcated n the Tasmanian Department f Educatin s website fr the mst recent Versin. P a g e 3

4 attends a senir secndary schl (r TasTAFE) each day as required if the child is exempted under Sectin 5 f the Act frm the requirement t be enrlled at a schl subject t a cnditin that the child attend r be enrlled at either a senir secndary schl r TasTAFE (Educatin Act 1994, Part 2, Sectin 6) A schl-aged child wh is nt prvided with hme educatin is t attend a schl during the whle f the schl day unless the child is participating in an individual educatinal prgram r is exempted r excused under Part 2 f the Educatin Act 1994 A principal f a senir secndary schl r TasTAFE staff must ensure that a register is kept recrding the daily attendance r absence f each schl-aged child (Educatin Act 1994, Part 2, Sectin 6). 4.2 Recrding attendance As per Sectin 4.1 f these prcedures, principal must ensure that a cmplete recrd f attendance is maintained in EduPint thrughut the schl day fr each enrlled student. This must include attendance at any ff-site prvisin. Principals must ensure that all attendance data is entered in EduPint as per the EduPint attendance categries [Staff access nly Dc ID: TASED ] and EduPint Absence Categry Flwchart [Staff access nly Dc ID: TASED ] The principal must ensure that a departmental recrd f a student s individual timetable based n their persnalised learning plan is maintained. A principal has duty f care fr all students while they are attending at the required times. The principal is respnsible fr fllwing up unexplained absences fr students enrlled at their schl. The principal must require students t attend schl by alerting parents at the beginning f each year thrugh newsletters and website infrmatin f the days that students are required t attend. 4.3 Excusing attendance A schl-aged child is excused frm attendance if the child is prevented frm attending because f sickness; r temprary physical r mental incapacity; r any ther reasnable cause as apprved by the principal; and a parent f the child has ntified the schl's principal. A reasnable cause is ne which the principal in their prfessinal capacity judges t be in the best educatinal interests f the student. Please refer t the nline cpy f this dcument (TASED ), lcated n the Tasmanian Department f Educatin s website fr the mst recent Versin. P a g e 4

5 The principal may require the parent t prvide a certificate frm a medical practitiner if their child s nn-attendance due t illness extends beynd five days, being the perid specified by the Department f Educatin Secretary (the Secretary). The principal may require a student nt t attend a schl during any day n which the student has an infestatin r is suffering frm any disease which, n advice frm the Directr f Public Health, the Secretary cnsiders may be infectius, cntagius r harmful t the health f ther persns at the schl. Appendix 2 prvides further details in relatin t infectius diseases. Abriginal students may be excused frm attendance fr up t five days per year in rder t participate in cultural events r activities. Additinal days may be negtiated with the schl and apprved by the principal. All cultural leave days must be aligned t the persnalised learning plan f the student. 4.4 Nn-attendance In cases f nn-attendance principals must ensure that the Guidelines fr Nn-attendance and Prsecutin are fllwed. (Staff access nly Dc ID: TASED ) 4.5 Exemptins frm attendance Exemptins frm attendance nly apply when: the child is being hme educated the child is suspended, excluded, expelled r prhibited frm attendance the child attends what the parents reasnably believed t be a schl (Educatin Act 1994, Part 2, Sectin 9, 1, d) a Certificate f Exemptin frm Enrlment issued n the initiative f the Secretary is in frce in respect f the child. An applicatin des nt have t be made fr the abve exemptins frm attendance. 4.6 Implementing part time attendance Frm 2015 all applicatin fr certificates f part time attendance must be entered by schl in the Student Supprt System (SSS). The SSS will assist principal t ensure that the prcedure belw is fllwed. Infrmatin n the entry f an applicatin fr a certificate f part time attendance in the SSS can be fund at the Student Supprt Systems - Help Zne. Please refer t the nline cpy f this dcument (TASED ), lcated n the Tasmanian Department f Educatin s website fr the mst recent Versin. P a g e 5

6 4.6.1 Backgrund infrmatin Part-time attendance is when a student is enrlled in a schl but is participating part-time in an educatinal prgram endrsed by the schl. A student des nt have part-time attendance status if they are participating ffcampus in a full-time schl-endrsed prgram. Part-time attendance may be apprpriate when: a child has a particular medical cnditin r is affected by medical treatment it is a cnditin fr enrlment in an educatinal r vcatinal prgram being ffered utside the Department f Educatin a student has lng-term prspects f stable emplyment particular circumstances impact n the child s capacity t engage in full-time schling the child has special educatinal needs that can best be met thrugh part-time attendance. The Secretary has the authrity t permit part-time attendance (Educatin Act 1994 Sectin 7). A General Manager (Learning Services) has this delegated authrity. Part-time attendance fr students in state care must nly be granted after very careful cnsideratin f the student s circumstances and in clse cnsultatin with all the peple invlved in making decisins affecting the student (e.g. carers, scial wrkers, schl psychlgists, natural parents, yuth justice wrkers, Children and Family Services, and advcates). Part-time attendance fr students wh are independent, living away frm hme and withut the care f a parent must nly be granted after very careful cnsideratin f the student s circumstances. It is apprpriate t expect the student t accept the legislative requirements f cmpulsry educatin. Students in these circumstances may sign their wn applicatin fr part-time attendance. The principal is respnsible fr: maintaining a recrd f the part-time attendance details (individual timetable) f the student maintaining a recrd f the part-time attendance f students accrding t the requirements f their individual timetable and in accrdance with department guidelines ensuring each student s part-time attendance arrangements are reviewed at least nce per term ensure that the an applicatin fr a Certificate f Part Time Attendance is entered in the Student Supprt System irrespective f the party initiating the applicatin in the first instance. Please refer t the nline cpy f this dcument (TASED ), lcated n the Tasmanian Department f Educatin s website fr the mst recent Versin. P a g e 6

7 4.6.2 Prcedure fr when a schl initiates an applicatin fr part-time attendance A principal, when he r she believes that it is in the best interests f the child's educatin fr the child t attend schl part-time, must apply t the General Manager (Learning Services), using an Applicatin fr Part-time Attendance. The applicatin must be signed by the student's parents and shuld be accmpanied by a full reprt. The reprt frm the principal must: prvide cmprehensive reasns fr the applicatin and the utcmes that are anticipated state the time that the student will attend prvide evidence that the student s parents have been cnsulted and that a high degree f cnsultatin has ccurred with thers invlved with the student shw that, where apprpriate, there has been cnsultatin with ther gvernment departments state the perid f time fr which the part-time attendance is requested, and mechanisms fr review ensure that the student is fully infrmed and cunselled abut the implicatins f the applicatin as apprpriate discuss the pssible mechanisms fr resumptin f full-time attendance. Schl scial wrkers must investigate applicatins fr part-time attendance and must liaise with relevant gvernment agencies as required. A schl scial wrker must prvide a reprt n each applicatin. The General Manager (Learning Services) may make any further investigatin that he r she believes t be apprpriate and must then either: grant the applicatin fr part-time attendance, subject t any cnditins refuse the applicatin. When part-time attendance is granted, the General Manager (Learning Services) must frward a Certificate f Part-time Attendance t the child's parents. This must clearly state the perid f attendance, the student s individual timetable and any cnditins. Learning Services must send a cpy f the Certificate f Part-time Attendance t the principal. If the student is under Care and Prtectin Orders, the Certificate f Part-time Attendance must be sent t the relevant Child Prtectin Manager. Please refer t the nline cpy f this dcument (TASED ), lcated n the Tasmanian Department f Educatin s website fr the mst recent Versin. P a g e 7

8 The principal must ensure that the student s part-time attendance arrangements are reviewed at least nce per term Prcedure fr when a parent applies fr their child t be granted part-time attendance Parents must cmplete an Applicatin fr Part-time Attendance which must be submitted t the principal. The applicatin must state clearly the perid f parttime attendance that is being requested and the review perid. The schl principal must investigate the applicatin and must prvide a reprt t Learning Services recmmending either acceptance r rejectin f the applicatin. The reprt frm the principal must: prvide cmprehensive reasns fr the applicatin and the utcmes that are anticipated state the time that the student will attend shw that, where apprpriate, there has been cnsultatin with ther gvernment departments state the perid f time fr which the part-time attendance is requested, and mechanisms fr review ensure that the student is fully infrmed and cunselled abut the nature and implicatins f the applicatin discuss the pssible mechanisms fr resumptin f full-time attendance recmmend either supprt r rejectin fr the applicatin. A schl scial wrker must prvide a reprt n each applicatin. The principal must prvide the General Manager (Learning Services) with: the parent's applicatin fr the child's part-time attendance his r her reprt his r her recmmendatin the scial wrker s reprt. The General Manager (Learning Services) may make any further investigatin that he r she cnsiders apprpriate and must then either: grant the Applicatin fr Part-time Attendance, subject t any cnditins refuse the Applicatin fr Part-time Attendance. When part-time attendance is granted, the General Manager (Learning Services) must frward a Certificate f Part-time Attendance t the child's parents. This must clearly state the perid f attendance, the student s individual timetable and any cnditins. Please refer t the nline cpy f this dcument (TASED ), lcated n the Tasmanian Department f Educatin s website fr the mst recent Versin. P a g e 8

9 When part-time attendance is granted, the General Manager (Learning Services) must send a cpy f the Certificate f Part-time Attendance t the principal. The principal must ensure that the student s part-time attendance arrangements are reviewed at least nce per term Prcedure fr when an independent student applies t be granted parttime attendance The principal r scial wrker must cnfirm the student s independent status. An independent student must cmplete an Applicatin fr Part-time Attendance which must be submitted t the principal. The applicatin must state clearly the perid f part-time attendance that is being requested and the review perid. The principal must investigate the applicatin and must prvide a reprt t Learning Services recmmending either acceptance r rejectin f the applicatin. The reprt frm the principal must: prvide cmprehensive reasns fr the applicatin and the utcmes that are anticipated state the time that the student will attend shw that, where apprpriate, there has been cnsultatin with ther gvernment departments state the perid f time fr which the part-time attendance is requested, and mechanisms fr review ensure that the student is fully infrmed and cunselled abut the nature and implicatins f the applicatin discuss the pssible mechanisms fr resumptin f full-time attendance recmmend either supprt f rejectin fr the applicatin. A schl scial wrker must prvide a reprt n each applicatin. The principal must prvide the General Manager (Learning Services) with: the independent student s Applicatin fr Part-time Attendance his r her reprt his r her recmmendatin the scial wrker s reprt. The General Manager (Learning Services) may make any further investigatin that he r she cnsiders apprpriate and must then either: grant the Applicatin fr Part-time Attendance, subject t any cnditins Please refer t the nline cpy f this dcument (TASED ), lcated n the Tasmanian Department f Educatin s website fr the mst recent Versin. P a g e 9

10 refuse the Applicatin fr Part-time Attendance. When part-time attendance is granted, the General Manager (Learning Services) must frward a Certificate f Part-time Attendance t the independent student. This must clearly state the perid f attendance, the student s individual timetable and any cnditins. When part-time attendance is granted, the General Manager (Learning Services) will send a cpy f the Certificate f Part-time Attendance t the principal. The principal must ensure that the student s part-time attendance arrangements are reviewed at least nce per term. 5. Rles and respnsibilities The Department f Educatin is accuntable t the cmmunity, thrugh the Minister fr Educatin and Skills, fr ensuring apprpriate schl attendance practices. Tasmanian law requires that schl aged children and yung peple are enrlled, attend and/r participate as defined within these prcedures. The Secretary is t: ensure that the relevant Acts are adhered t. The Deputy Secretary (Early Years and Schls) is t: General Managers are t: Schl and senir secndary schl principals are t: ensure that the relevant Acts are adhered t ensure that schls and senir secndary schls are prvided with apprpriate supprt and guidance thrugh the prvisin f plicy, prcedures and guidelines. ensure that schl and senir secndary schl principals are familiar with and adhere t the plicy, prcedures and guidelines in this area versee the prcess and apprval fr part-time attendance assess applicatins fr part-time attendance and issue Certificates f Part-time Attendance. adhere t the Enrlment, Attendance and Participatin Plicy and assciated prcedures and guidelines maintain an fficial recrd f attendance fr each enrlled student. This must include any ff-site prvisin ensure that all part-time attendance arrangements fr students are frmally dcumented, stred and reviewed ensure any interventin prcesses due t nn-attendance are dcumented and that the apprpriate dcuments are used seek supprt frm, and wrk with, ther agencies and supprt services in accrdance with agreements where students attendance patterns becme irregular. Please refer t the nline cpy f this dcument (TASED ), lcated n the Tasmanian Department f Educatin s website fr the mst recent Versin. P a g e 10

11 Teachers are t: cmply with these prcedures and assciated plicy. Scial Wrkers (Kindergarten Year 10) and Specialist Student Supprt Services (Years 11 & 12) are t: Parents are t: Educatinal Perfrmance Services (EPS) is t: investigate applicatins fr part-time attendance and liaise with gvernment agencies as required assist in cases f nn-attendance. ensure that their child attends schl each day as required by the principal ntify the schl when the child will be absent because f illness, incapacity r ther cause prvide a certificate frm a medical practitiner as requested by the principal, if the child s nn-attendance due t illness extends beynd five days fllw the directins f the principal in relatin t attendance assciated with cmmunicable diseases r infestatin. manage and maintain central attendance datasets prvide timely and accurate reprting t stakehlders. 6. Assciated dcuments and materials Available frm (Search fr Dc ID) Enrlment, Attendance and Participatin Plicy (TASED ) Schl Enrlment Prcedures (TASED ) Guidelines fr Nn-Attendance and Prsecutin [Staff access nly] (TASED ) Legal Issues fr Schls and Clleges [Staff access nly] (TASED ) EduPint attendance categries- describing the student attendance cde cmbinatin [Staff access nly] (TASED EduPint Absence Categry Flwchart -assists schls in the crrect recrding f whle day student absences [Staff access nly] (TASED ) Please refer t the nline cpy f this dcument (TASED ), lcated n the Tasmanian Department f Educatin s website fr the mst recent Versin. P a g e 11

12 Appendix 1: Infectius diseases The fllwing diseases are presently deemed t be infectius, cntagius r ptentially harmful t the health f ther peple in a schl. The minimum perids that a sufferer shuld nt attend schl are indicated. These recmmended perids are a guide which may be mdified in individual cases. Further advice can be btained frm the Directr f Public Health. Chicken Px Cnjunctivitis Diarrhea Diphtheria Glandular Fever Hepatitis A Hepatitis B Hepatitis C HIV Schl Sres Leprsy Measles Meningitis (Bacterial) Meningcccal Infectin Mumps Pediculsis (Head Lice) Shuld nt attend fr five (5) days after the first eruptin appears (scabs remaining after this time are nt an indicatin f a need fr cntinued exclusin) Shuld nt attend until eye discharge stps Shuld nt attend until cnditin stps Shuld nt attend until medical certificate f recvery issued after at least tw (2) negative thrat swabs May attend schl Shuld nt attend until medical certificate f recvery May attend schl May attend schl May attend schl Shuld nt attend until sres n expsed surfaces have been treated and are cvered with a dressing Shuld nt attend until health authrity authrises return Shuld nt attend fr at least five (5) days frm appearance f rash Shuld nt attend until well Shuld nt attend until well Shuld nt attend fr at least nine (9) days after nset f symptms Shuld nt attend until day after treatment has started Please refer t the nline cpy f this dcument (TASED ), lcated n the Tasmanian Department f Educatin s website fr the mst recent Versin. P a g e 12

13 Plimyelitis Ringwrm Shuld nt attend fr at least 14 days frm nset and readmit n medical certificate f recvery Shuld nt attend until day after treatment has started Rubella German Measles) Scabies Shuld nt attend until fully recvered r fr at least fur (4) days after the nset f rash Shuld nt attend until day after treatment has started Streptcccal Infectin (including Scarlet Fever) Trachma Tuberculsis Typhid and Paratyphid Fever Whping Cugh Shuld nt attend fr 24 hurs after antibitic treatment and the student feels well Shuld nt attend until day after treatment has started Shuld nt attend until prductin f medical certificate Shuld nt attend until prductin f medical certificate Shuld nt attend fr five (5) days after starting antibitic treatment. Please refer t the nline cpy f this dcument (TASED ), lcated n the Tasmanian Department f Educatin s website fr the mst recent Versin. P a g e 13

14 Appendix 2: Applicatin fr Part-time Attendance This frm shuld nly be used fr applicatins that are initiated by a parent/guardian r as student with independent status. Once the principal receives this frm they shuld enter the infrmatin int the Student Supprt System (SSS) t begin the applicatin prcess. Applicatin fr Part-time Attendance (This applicatin may be initiated by a parent/guardian/schl/learning Service/independent student.) TO: THE GENERAL MANAGER LEARNING SERVICES OR DELEGATE TODAY S DATE: LEARNING SERVICE: SCHOOL: BCN (Schl Number): STUDENT NAME: ED-ID: DB: YEAR: ATSI STATUS: MALE / FEMALE (Please circle) PARENT(S )/ GUARDIAN NAME: TEL NO: ADDRESS: STUDENT ADDRESS (If different): TEL NO: This applicatin was initiated by the: (TICK ONE BOX ONLY) Schl/Learning Services Parent/Guardian Independent Student Ttal FTE that the student will be attending schl: (e.g. 0.5 FTE) REASON FOR APPLICATION FOR PART-TIME ATTENDANCE Please tick the primary reasn frm the list belw - TICK ONE BOX ONLY Emplyment Apprenticeship Emplyment Traineeship Emplyment Other Educatin Other educatin Educatin Flexible prvisin Defence Frce cmmitments Fulltime Carer Illness/Incapacity Family reasns Other Please refer t the nline cpy f this dcument (TASED ), lcated n the Tasmanian Department f Educatin s website fr the mst recent Versin. P a g e 14

15 Please prvide a descriptin f the primary reasn and any ther reasns fr the applicatin. (If the reasn fr this applicatin is student emplyment, dcumentatin frm the emplyer must be prvided.) Please prvide verificatin frm medical practitiner if the applicatin is due t illness/incapacity. PRINCIPAL REPORT - please enter via the Student Supprt System (SSS) SOCIAL WORKER REPORT - please enter via the Student Supprt System (SSS) DETAILS OF PART-TIME ATTENDANCE START DATE: TERM ( ) REVIEW DATE: TERM ( ) END DATE*: TERM ( ) (*The maximum perid f part-time attendance withut review, r the maximum perid until a review is required, is the shrter f either ne term r until the end f the current term)

16 PARENT/GUARDIAN COMMENT r INDEPENDENT STUDENT COMMENT (if independent student is applying fr this exemptin) Please nte: if the student is under guardianship r custdy rders, the guardian is mst likely t be the student s Child Prtectin Wrker (nt the fster carer) SIGNATURE: DATE: GENERAL MANAGER LEARNING SERVICES - DECISION Please refer t the electrnic cpy f this dcument, lcated n the Department f Educatin s Intranet and/r Internet site t ensure this is the mst recent versin. P a g e 16

17 Appendix 3: Certificate f Part-time Attendance Department f Educatin Certificate f Part-time Attendance This is t certify that:.(name f child) f..(address) whse date f birth is..(date f birth) has been apprved fr part-time schl attendance: frm.. (start f part-time attendance) t..(last day f part-time attendance) This apprval fr part-time attendance is granted subject t the fllwing cnditins: 1. That this part-time attendance arrangement is reviewed by (date) by (persn/peple wh will undertake the review) If the review finds that the arrangement is nt wrking satisfactrily, further discussins will take place with all relevant parties. SIGNATURE: Date: Secretary Please refer t the electrnic cpy f this dcument, lcated n the Department f Educatin s Intranet and/r Internet site t ensure this is the mst recent versin. P a g e 17

18 Authrised by: Clin Pettit Psitin f authrising persn: Secretary Date authrised: Develped by: Educatinal Perfrmance Services Date f last review: December 2014 Date fr next review: December 2015 This dcument replaces: Enrlment and Attendance Guidelines 2010 TRIM Number Please refer t the electrnic cpy f this dcument, lcated n the Department f Educatin s Intranet and/r Internet site t ensure this is the mst recent versin. P a g e 18