SACE Completion

In reply to Mr BOYER (Wright) (23 November 2020). (Estimates Committee B)

The Hon. J.A.W. GARDNER (Morialta—Minister for Education): I am advised of the following:

The quality of the retention and completion data being captured has improved.

From 2018 the Department for Education has tracked individual student progress while at school for a more accurate reflection of retention rates and SACE completions. This information is now published annually. The latest report detailing retention and completion rates from 2015 to 2019 is available to the public on the Department for Education website.

In relation to retention rates, it is important to note the student exits may include to either gain employment or for further study, or to transition to an interstate, overseas or non-government school. The development of a national 'unique student identifier' (USI) is currently underway as a result of the National School Reform Agreement signed in 2018. This USI will assist in tracking the students in the future.

As part of the commitment to better understand impediments to progress, a research report involving interviews with 580 year 10-12 students from 101 schools who have either left school early or appear to be at risk of not completing SACE was published on 2 December 2020. It provides detailed insights into where students who leave prior to completing SACE have gone and what can be done to support them into work or further study.

The findings will help inform the department's policies and programs to ensure that students are supported into meaningful pathways.