2. Jadynne Harvey National Policy and Research Manager CREATE Foundation jadynne.harvey@create.org.au

3. History of Report Cards In 2000, CREATE launched its Report Card series. The first Education Report Card in 2001 examining the educational needs, participation and performance with subsequent releases in 2002, 2003, 2004, and now 2006. The Report Card has three key components: –An abridged literature review –A questionnaire based survey of children and young people in care across Australia –A comparative analysis of jurisdictional policy and practice within each State/Territory

4. Research Literature General consensus that those in care, when compared to their age-matched peers: Have lower rates of high school completion, complete fewer years of schooling, and are less likely to engage in higher education Are less likely to score as highly on standardised tests, and tend to be rated less positively in teacher’s subjective summations of academic aptitude Are more likely to demonstrate behaviours that are considered disruptive or maladaptive within educational environments Are more likely to have previously missed school, and are more likely to continue to miss periods of school

5. Report Card Surveys Background –Standardised questionnaire administered to 160 to 300 children and young people in care. –Participants are selected through a membership database More stable Longer in care –Sample based on jurisdiction size –National sample ~ 3.0% care population in age range

6. Survey Findings 2002200320042006 More frequent school change  Low uptake or awareness of IEP  Less likely to attend school than peers  Less likely to attain a school qualification  Higher instances of expulsion/exclusion  Key issue of bullying  Lower level of attainment for age  High levels of school absence  Low participation beyond compulsory age 

7. 2006 Data Compare those within compulsory school age group who did and did not attend school. Those who did not attend school in 2005: –Have spent less time in their current placement; –Have spent less time in care overall; –Have experienced more placements –overall; –Have completed a lower grade than others –of their age; –Have attended more high schools; and –Have been excluded more Supports existing research findings

8. Policy and Practice Actions 2001 Timely responses –Assessment of educational needs, participation and performance of all children and young people within one month of being placed in out of home care –six monthly reviews of individual education plans Participation of children and young people in care –involvement of the child or young person and key people in their life including family, direct carers, teachers and other relevant educational personnel, statutory service providers and non-government service providers in assessment, planning and actioning plans Education planning –development of individual education plans for all children and young people in care within two months of being placed in out of home care, which identify needs and actions required to meet these needs Information sharing and collaboration –development of protocols for the sharing of information between schools and government and non-government service providers –development of local area planning forums involving senior management to lead, resource and monitor these arrangements Comprehensive Evaluation –development of mechanisms and processes to provide and monitor assessment, planning and review functions –collection of relevant statistical information on participation and performance required at a local level –review of existing programs, services and initiatives in each state and

9. Policy and Practice Actions 2006 Adopt appropriate goals and objectives that promote educational participation and performance of children and young people in care Ensure that all children and young people in care have an individual education plan Establish local or regional collaborative structures and processes to promote achievement of the goals and objectives Establish mechanisms that monitor, evaluate and review achievement of outcomes Establish a collaborative research agenda.

10. Summary The educational experiences of children and young people in care are of ongoing concern Ongoing data from CREATE’s Report Card series emphasises concerns around a lack of connection and continuity, manifesting in a range of negative indicators There have been developments in promoting cross- government approaches, a greater culture of evidence based practice, and more thorough data collection Further work is required to promote more effective approaches from Education Departments, and to ensure that education remains a priority amidst other pressures from statutory demands

11. 2006 Education Report Card Release The 2006 Report will be released on Friday August 18, 2006. Copies will be available for download at: www.create.org.au Executive summaries are available at the CREATE stall in the foyer