What is the purpose of internal (i.e. by schools) reporting in the compulsory years in your state/territory?

Background

In Queensland responsibility for reporting in the compulsory years of schooling rests with the school authorities both individual and systemic. The Queensland School Curriculum Council’s responsibility is limited to providing (in its syllabuses) principles and guidelines for assessment.

The purposes of internal (school-based) reporting in the compulsory years of schooling are "accountability" and "continuous improvement". Generally, schools report to parents on a regular basis about student performance standards, and to their school communities through annual reports that also refer to student performance standards as well as other aspects of school development, organisation and administration. At the end of the compulsory years of studying (Year 10) schools may choose to issue and "official" Year 10 certificate (prepared by Education Queensland) or their own school reports.

What is the purpose of external (i.e. by systems/Board/Council) reporting in the compulsory years in your state/territory? (if any)

The purposes of external reporting in the compulsory years of schooling are "accountability" and "continuous improvement". Prior to 1987, Junior Certificates were issued by the then Board of Secondary School Studies to students who successfully completed junior secondary school studies by the end of Year 10. Following the abolition of these certificates, the Department of Education (Education Queensland) proposed an "official’ Year 10 certificate that could be issued by schools, both government and non-government, if they chose to do so. Schools that do not choose to do so, may issue their own school reports.

The Queensland school Curriculum Council reports annually to the Minister on Years 3, 5 and 7 performance standards in aspects of literary and numeracy. The Department (Education Queensland) and the statutory authorities including the Queensland School Curriculum Council (P—10) report to the Minister and to the Parliament through annual reports. The Department and other school authorities also provide a range of data for incorporation in the Annual National Report on schooling in Australia.

What information is currently reported externally?

Information provided through external reporting includes:

• Years 3, 5 and 7 student performance standards in aspects of literacy and numeracy (Reading, Viewing, Writing, Spelling, Number, Measurement and Data, and Space)
• Student performance on the Year 2 Diagnostic Net (Reading, Writing and Number).

How is the information reported?

In the case of Years 3, 5 and 7, student performance standards in aspect of literacy and numeracy, this information is reported through (a) individual student reports, (b) class and school reports, (c) systemic (state, Catholic and independent) reports, and (d) a report to the Minister for Education.

State schools report the results of the Year 2 Diagnostic Net to Education Queensland. These results form the basis of allocation of funding to provide additional support for identified students.

What agency is responsible for external reporting?

In the case of Years 3, 5 and 7, student performance standards in aspect of literacy and numeracy, the agency responsible for reporting is the Queensland School Curriculum Council.

Schools are responsible for reporting student performance on the Year 2 Diagnostic Net to their school authority.