QTAD Q&A
Queensland Teachers' Journal, Vol 128, 25 August 2023, page no.28
Should teachers be expected to follow up student absences?
The collection and management of data on student absence falls under the Joint Statement on the Purpose and Use of Data in Queensland Schools (https://www.qtu.asn.au/js-data). There are three critical statements to note in the joint statement:
- The School Performance Policy indicates that schools should develop an annual data plan, in collaboration with the local consultative committee (LCC), which indicates how data will be used to inform practice aligned with student learning and wellbeing, school improvement and strategic planning.
- A school’s data plan should recognise the professionalism of teachers and school leaders and manage workload demands associated with generating, accessing, entering, interpreting, communicating, and responding to data. As determined by the Teaching in State Education Award – State 2016, non-contact time is to be used for preparation and correction.
- It is the expectation of the department and the QTU that workload considerations will be assessed at each school and addressed through the school data plan.
In addition to the joint statement, the QTU has adopted a specific position statement on this issue, particularly with regard to following up on unexplained absences. QTU members should be aware that the Union’s position is that the teacher’s role is limited to monitoring attendance via class roll marking. Classroom teachers should not be required to call parents/caregivers seeking an explanation for periods of unexplained student absence.
In accordance with the department’s Roll Marking in State Schools Procedure (https://ppr.qed.qld.gov.au/attachment/roll-marking-in-state-schools-procedure.pdf), when marking the roll, teachers must use visual and verbal confirmation when recording whether a student is present or absent (i.e. call each student’s name, await a verbal response from the student and sight the student who provided the response).
Where a student is absent from a class, report the absence as soon as practicable in accordance with the school’s procedures.
It is the QTU view that other staff, teacher-aides, office admin staff and even guidance officers, where appropriate, may be requested to follow up on unexplained student absences. Consultation with these employees would need to take place through the relevant consultative mechanisms prior to these duties being assigned.