Distance education
What are the requirements for a school seeking to deliver all or a significant part of the courses of study to its students by means of distance education?
The requirements for a school seeking to deliver all or a significant part of the courses of study to its students by means of distance education relate to curriculum and ensuring the personal and social development if its students. These requirements are described below.
In addition to providing documentation in relation to the primary/secondary curriculum delivered, a registered non-government school delivering distance education must maintain documentation for each calendar year of the current registration period that includes:
- policies and procedures for authenticating student work
- guidelines for people such as family or community members who act as on-site supervisors of a student's distance education work
- policies and procedures in relation to providing a minimum of fifteen (15) days of 'residential school' sessions each school year for each student undertaking all of their courses of study by distance education (pro-rata for part-time students)
- policies and procedures in relation to providing additional 'residential sessions' for students undertaking courses that include practical components
- policies and procedures in relation to teacher visits to students
- teaching programs, including specific details of all teaching and learning activities provided to students, for each distance education course offered
- the annual schedule for teaching programs and activities undertaken at 'residential school' sessions
- the annual schedule for additional 'residential school' sessions for courses that include practical components.
For each of its students undertaking all or a significant part of their courses by means of distance education the school must maintain documentation that records:
- learning progress in relation to syllabus outcomes
- attendance at 'residential school' sessions
- the mechanisms by which each student is able to interact with relevant teachers each week
- the dates of teacher visits to the student
- procedures for the formal supervision of students undertaking external examinations/tests.
In addition to providing documentation to meet legislative obligations for child protection and having policies and procedures that provide for student welfare, a registered non-government school delivering distance education must maintain documentation for each calendar year of the current registration period that includes:
- evidence that it has made available to stakeholders in a student's education and welfare the school's guiding principles and general organisation including statements about
- school aims
- enrolment policies
- student welfare policies
- staff roles and responsibilities
- communication mechanisms and processes for handling complaints
- learning and social support services provided for students
- assessment policies and procedures
- procedures to monitor students' personal and social development
- policies and procedures that are appropriate to ensure the safety and welfare of students undertaking 'residential school' sessions. Where accommodation for a 'residential school' is provided by the school itself or by contractual arrangement (excluding brief school excursions and 'home stay' accommodation), such policies and procedures must meet the standards for the safety and welfare of boarders
- details of the school's programs that focus on personal and social development
- structured experiences that focus on personal and social development at the 'residential school' sessions
- details of school support personnel such as a counsellor who assist with issues related to personal and social development as needed.