Learning Diveristy 

The following information is provided by Melbourne Archdiocese Catholic Schools (MACS). They have requested that schools provide this information in their newsletter for parents to better understand the NCCD process. 

What is the Nationally Consistent Collection of Data?

Schools must now complete the Nationally Consistent Collection of Data on School Students with Disability (NCCD) every year. It counts the number of students who receive additional adjustmentsor “help” at school because of a disability. The NCCD helps governments plan for the needs ofstudents with disability. 

Who is counted in the data collection? 

To count a student in the NCCD, schools must think through some key questions:

                1. Is the student getting help at school so that they can take part in education on the samebasis as other students?

                2. Is the help given because of a disability? The word ‘disability’ comes from the DisabilityDiscrimination Act 1992 (DDA) and it can include many students.

               3. Has the school talked to you or your child about the help that they provide?

               4. Has the school kept records about the help they provide, the student needs and the reasonsthat the student needs this help? 

The school will need to keep copies of tests, studentwork, assessments, records of meetings, medical reports or other paperwork andinformation about how the student’s learning is moving along over time. Once the school decides that the student should be counted in the NCCD, they then choose adisability group and one of four levels of help that has been given to the student.

What does the word ‘disability’ mean in the NCCD?

In the NCCD the word ‘disability’ comes from the Disability Discrimination Act 1992 (DDA). There are four types of disability that the school can choose from: sensory, cognitive, social-emotionaland physical.

Many students that need help at school can be counted in the NCCD. For example, students with learning problems, e.g. specific learning disability or reading difficulty (sometimes called dyslexia), health problems (e.g. epilepsy or diabetes), physical disability (e.g. cerebral palsy), vision/hearingloss and social-emotional problems (e.g. selective mutism, Autism Spectrum Disorder, anxiety). Letters from doctors or specialists can be very helpful for schools as they plan how to supportstudents with their learning. Schools do not need to have these letters before they can count a NCCD student in NCCD.

Teachers can use all that they know about the student’s learning and the records that they have collected over time to decide if a student can be counted in the NCCD.

What sort of help does the school give students?

Students need different types of help at school. Some students need a little help sometimes whileother students need a lot of help nearly all the time. The type of help given depends on the needs of the student. The help can include changes to the school buildings or grounds (e.g. ramps orthings like special desks or chairs), extra teacher help in classes, special learning programs, changes to the work they give the student or extra adult help.

How will the NCCD be different this year?

All schools have been counting students in the NCCD since 2015. The government will use the NCCD data as part of the funding to schools. 

What will the school need to know about my child for the NCCD?

Schools work together with families to understand the needs of each child. It is helpful if familiesgive their child’s teacher a copy of any letters or reports they have. The letters or reports will helpthe school understand the child and the help that they might need. Letters from doctors, psychologists, speech pathologists, doctor, and occupational therapists etc. can be very helpful forschools. These reports along with information that the teacher has (i.e. school based tests, yourchild’s work and learning plans) helps the school to understand and meet your child’s needs.

What happens to the NCCD data? Who will have the NCCD information?

Each school principal must check the NCCD data in August of each year. The school will give theinformation to the Catholic Education Office. The school will work with the Catholic EducationOffice to make sure that the NCCD data is OK before they give the data to the government. The government will not be given the names of any students or any letters or records. Please ask your school for their privacy policy if you need to know more.

Does the school need me to agree with them about counting my child in the NCCD?Amendments were made to the Australian Education Act 2013 and Australian Education Regulation2013. Schools do not need you to agree to let them count a child in the NCCD.

You cannot ask the school not to count your child.

Where can I find out more?

Jonathan is the Learning Diveristy Leader at St John Vianney's and will be able to assist you if you have further questions about the NCCD.