Attendance

The Education and Training Reform Act 2006 sets out basic legal requirements for attendance. In Victoria, young people of compulsory school age must be enrolled in a registered school. A student is of compulsory school age if they are between 6 and 16 years of age inclusive. Whilst student attendance at school remains a legal obligation on parents consistent with the Act, Victorian Government schools in partnership with parents, students and the wider community, must provide active support for full student attendance and retention until the completion of Year 12 or its equivalent.

Responsibilities of Schools Encourage attendance through clear statements of high expectations and effective procedures Adopt a strategic approach to improve student attendance levels Develop staff understanding of the importance of attendance through regular professional learning Record and monitor attendance regularly. In primary schools the roll must be taken twice each day. In secondary schools attendance should be recorded for each class Pursue and record an explanation for every absence Identify at an early stage students who are not attending or who have inconsistent patterns of attendance Provide targeted support for students with attendance issues Work collaboratively with individual students and parents to improve attendance Establish multi disciplinary groups to scaffold ongoing support Ensure the prompt processing of student transfers

Effective Schools.  Effective schools promote and maintain high levels of student attendance and participation through: Articulation of high expectations to all members of the community Adoption of rigorous procedures to monitor and record student absence Prompt and consistent follow up to student absence Implementation of data driven attendance improvement strategies Creation of safe, supportive learning environments where all students experience success through active participation and engagement in purposeful learning Early identification and supportive intervention with students at risk of non attendance. Linkage with local community groups and agencies to maximise program and individual support

Strategies to address attendance issues The Yarra Schools Consortium report Getting Clever with Student Attendance (Zita Pinda et al 2006) outlines effective strategies using the Attendance-Clever Schools model. Click on the following diagram headings.

Northern Metropolitan Region offers the following Student Attendance professional learning opportunities for school personnel: The two day Improving Student Attendance program supports school leadership and improvement teams in establishing effective strategic approaches The Attendance Officers Network meets each term to support school personnel who monitor and follow up student absence

Useful Resources: Seven Tips For More Effective Attendance Data