Queensland school attendance rates have improved – but educators can't put their finger on why.
Subscribe now for unlimited access.
$0/
(min cost $0)
or signup to continue reading
The government implemented its 'Every Day Counts' campaign following a 2012 Auditor-General report which found that attendance rates across state schools had not improved over the four preceding years, despite strategies to try and get more students to class.
The most recent review found state school attendance rates had seen a small improvement – from 90.8 per cent in early 2013 to 91.1 per cent in 2014. Indigenous students saw one of the biggest jumps from 83 per cent to 84 per cent.
But the gap between the indigenous and non-indigenous students continues to be a concern, with 92 per cent of non-indigenous school-aged students being sent to school.
Less Year 7 students are attending school than in 2013, while more Year 9 students are making it through the school gates.
Smaller schools did better in attendance rates than larger schools.
But the committee, chaired by LNP MP Rosemary Menkens found that the "lack of an evaluation strategy means we can't be certain what it is that is working in some schools, or why others are not having success in improving attendance rates".
"The lack of solid evidence about what strategies can work can make it hard for a school to know how to best direct its limited resources," she said.
"...A big positive is the department has made significant improvements to its data collection capacity, and schools are using that capacity to set targets, monitor and develop strategies to improve attendance. We hope that, in time, the data will support comprehensive evaluations of those strategies."
Education minister John-Paul Langbroek said he was still considering the review.
"As I've travelled the state, I've seen schools use a number of strategies, including special activities, breakfast clubs and awards to improve attendance," Mr Langbroek said.
"I'm thrilled that we are seeing some of the best attendance rates ever in Queensland schools and I'm looking forward to this trend continuing."
He said lifting school attendance was of "paramount importance" to student outcomes.
"If a student has an attendance record of 90% every year, by the time they reach Year 10 they will only be at a Year 9 level," he said.
"That's why schools are doing whatever it takes to get Queensland kids to school."
The review can be accessed here.