❓ A parliamentary question addresses falling high school attendance rates since 2008, prompting the Minister for Education to outline existing strategies, including a focus on transition programs and positive reinforcement, while disputing claims of worsening attendance under the current government.
AnsweredQoN 705Legislative Assembly
QuestionView source ↗
HIGH SCHOOLS — ATTENDANCE RATES
On behalf of the member for Mandurah I acknowledge the students from Mandurah Baptist College who are in the public gallery. I refer to the trend in falling attendance rates in many Perth high schools since 2008. (1) What action is the minister taking to address schools at which attendance rates fall below 80 per cent? (2) Why has there been a trend in falling attendance rates in at least nine north metropolitan high schools since 2008? (3) How many other schools have had falling attendance rates since 2008? (4) As the minister’s current strategies are clearly not working, what different action will she take to arrest this decline in school attendance? Dr E. CONSTABLE
On behalf of the member for Mandurah I acknowledge the students from Mandurah Baptist College who are in the public gallery. I refer to the trend in falling attendance rates in many Perth high schools since 2008. (1) What action is the minister taking to address schools at which attendance rates fall below 80 per cent? (2) Why has there been a trend in falling attendance rates in at least nine north metropolitan high schools since 2008? (3) How many other schools have had falling attendance rates since 2008? (4) As the minister’s current strategies are clearly not working, what different action will she take to arrest this decline in school attendance? Dr E. CONSTABLE
AnswerView source ↗
(1)–(4) Members will be aware that an attendance strategy has been put in place. We are working extremely hard to make sure that children not only attend school but also participate in years 11 and 12. I am sure members will be pleased to know that participation rates in years 11 and 12 have remained very steady in the past couple of years, at around the 92 per cent mark. We are very pleased that with the increase in the school entry age the participation rate has been maintained at that level. There are a number of pressure points that we are working on. One of them is the transition from year 7 to year 8. We know that some children at that stage, and their families, find it very difficult to make that transition. We are working on that transition to make sure that children, when they change schools, actually enrol at another school. There are some young people who take the opportunity not to enrol and we then have to chase them up at that point. There was a fall in secondary school attendance between 2000 and 2008, as I mentioned yesterday — Mr B.S. Wyatt : That is not what you mentioned yesterday. Dr E. CONSTABLE : I did mention that yesterday. Mr B.S. Wyatt interjected. Dr E. CONSTABLE : I then quoted a figure that the overall statewide attendance in government schools had slightly increased. The overall attendance I referred to was in — Mr B.S. Wyatt : You said secondary schools were declining. Dr E. CONSTABLE : I did not say secondary schools. If the member checks Hansard , he will see that I did not use the words “secondary school”. Mr B.S. Wyatt : I have it here! The SPEAKER : Member for Victoria Park, I formally call you to order for the first time today. It is not an opportunity to interject. Mr B.S. Wyatt : She asked me to check Hansard . The SPEAKER : I formally call you to order for the second time today. Dr E. CONSTABLE : A major thrust of the attendance strategy is to have — Mr B.S. Wyatt interjected. Dr E. CONSTABLE : We have identified 71 focus schools in the public school system — Several members interjected. Dr E. CONSTABLE : We have identified those 71 public schools. Also, 10 schools have been given a special program and positive reinforcements to children who attend school. Members will also remember that the Auditor General provided a report a couple of years ago on attendance. One of the things he suggested we do is look at positive ways to engage young people. The current strategy is based on research done with young people about what they need to encourage them to go to school, based on the Auditor General’s report. The research indicated that students need not punishment but positive reasons to go to school, and to work out for themselves why school is important. Ten key schools have been chosen to be part of that positive program. Mr E.S. Ripper : When do you expect attendance rates to improve? Dr E. CONSTABLE : I see attendance rates in some of those schools already improving, especially in the chosen 10. I am assured there has been a positive effect on attendance of children at those schools. A number of organisations such as the Eagles have come on board. The heroes of these young people are involved in attendance programs for those schools that have very low attendance. The question of attendance is an issue for this government and it was an issue for the former government. Sometimes they are complex questions. Mr B.S. Wyatt : Unfortunately it is getting worse under you! Dr E. CONSTABLE : It is not getting worse under us. In fact overall attendance has risen under this government.
I refer to the trend in falling attendance rates in many Perth high schools since 2008. (1) What action is the minister taking to address schools at which attendance rates fall below 80 per cent? (2) Why has there been a trend in falling attendance rates in at least nine north metropolitan high schools since 2008? (3) How many other schools have had falling attendance rates since 2008? (4) As the minister’s current strategies are clearly not working, what different action will she take to arrest this decline in school attendance? Dr E. CONSTABLE replied: (1)–(4) Members will be aware that an attendance strategy has been put in place. We are working extremely hard to make sure that children not only attend school but also participate in years 11 and 12. I am sure members will be pleased to know that participation rates in years 11 and 12 have remained very steady in the past couple of years, at around the 92 per cent mark. We are very pleased that with the increase in the school entry age the participation rate has been maintained at that level. There are a number of pressure points that we are working on. One of them is the transition from year 7 to year 8. We know that some children at that stage, and their families, find it very difficult to make that transition. We are working on that transition to make sure that children, when they change schools, actually enrol at another school. There are some young people who take the opportunity not to enrol and we then have to chase them up at that point. There was a fall in secondary school attendance between 2000 and 2008, as I mentioned yesterday — Mr B.S. Wyatt : That is not what you mentioned yesterday. Dr E. CONSTABLE : I did mention that yesterday. Mr B.S. Wyatt interjected. Dr E. CONSTABLE : I then quoted a figure that the overall statewide attendance in government schools had slightly increased. The overall attendance I referred to was in — Mr B.S. Wyatt : You said secondary schools were declining. Dr E. CONSTABLE : I did not say secondary schools. If the member checks Hansard , he will see that I did not use the words “secondary school”. Mr B.S. Wyatt : I have it here! The SPEAKER : Member for Victoria Park, I formally call you to order for the first time today. It is not an opportunity to interject. Mr B.S. Wyatt : She asked me to check Hansard . The SPEAKER : I formally call you to order for the second time today. Dr E. CONSTABLE : A major thrust of the attendance strategy is to have — Mr B.S. Wyatt interjected. Dr E. CONSTABLE : We have identified 71 focus schools in the public school system — Several members interjected. Dr E. CONSTABLE : We have identified those 71 public schools. Also, 10 schools have been given a special program and positive reinforcements to children who attend school. Members will also remember that the Auditor General provided a report a couple of years ago on attendance. One of the things he suggested we do is look at positive ways to engage young people. The current strategy is based on research done with young people about what they need to encourage them to go to school, based on the Auditor General’s report. The research indicated that students need not punishment but positive reasons to go to school, and to work out for themselves why school is important. Ten key schools have been chosen to be part of that positive program. Mr E.S. Ripper : When do you expect attendance rates to improve? Dr E. CONSTABLE : I see attendance rates in some of those schools already improving, especially in the chosen 10. I am assured there has been a positive effect on attendance of children at those schools. A number of organisations such as the Eagles have come on board. The heroes of these young people are involved in attendance programs for those schools that have very low attendance. The question of attendance is an issue for this government and it was an issue for the former government. Sometimes they are complex questions. Mr B.S. Wyatt : Unfortunately it is getting worse under you! Dr E. CONSTABLE : It is not getting worse under us. In fact overall attendance has risen under this government.
(1) What action is the minister taking to address schools at which attendance rates fall below 80 per cent? (2) Why has there been a trend in falling attendance rates in at least nine north metropolitan high schools since 2008? (3) How many other schools have had falling attendance rates since 2008? (4) As the minister’s current strategies are clearly not working, what different action will she take to arrest this decline in school attendance? Dr E. CONSTABLE replied: (1)–(4) Members will be aware that an attendance strategy has been put in place. We are working extremely hard to make sure that children not only attend school but also participate in years 11 and 12. I am sure members will be pleased to know that participation rates in years 11 and 12 have remained very steady in the past couple of years, at around the 92 per cent mark. We are very pleased that with the increase in the school entry age the participation rate has been maintained at that level. There are a number of pressure points that we are working on. One of them is the transition from year 7 to year 8. We know that some children at that stage, and their families, find it very difficult to make that transition. We are working on that transition to make sure that children, when they change schools, actually enrol at another school. There are some young people who take the opportunity not to enrol and we then have to chase them up at that point. There was a fall in secondary school attendance between 2000 and 2008, as I mentioned yesterday — Mr B.S. Wyatt : That is not what you mentioned yesterday. Dr E. CONSTABLE : I did mention that yesterday. Mr B.S. Wyatt interjected. Dr E. CONSTABLE : I then quoted a figure that the overall statewide attendance in government schools had slightly increased. The overall attendance I referred to was in — Mr B.S. Wyatt : You said secondary schools were declining. Dr E. CONSTABLE : I did not say secondary schools. If the member checks Hansard , he will see that I did not use the words “secondary school”. Mr B.S. Wyatt : I have it here! The SPEAKER : Member for Victoria Park, I formally call you to order for the first time today. It is not an opportunity to interject. Mr B.S. Wyatt : She asked me to check Hansard . The SPEAKER : I formally call you to order for the second time today. Dr E. CONSTABLE : A major thrust of the attendance strategy is to have — Mr B.S. Wyatt interjected. Dr E. CONSTABLE : We have identified 71 focus schools in the public school system — Several members interjected. Dr E. CONSTABLE : We have identified those 71 public schools. Also, 10 schools have been given a special program and positive reinforcements to children who attend school. Members will also remember that the Auditor General provided a report a couple of years ago on attendance. One of the things he suggested we do is look at positive ways to engage young people. The current strategy is based on research done with young people about what they need to encourage them to go to school, based on the Auditor General’s report. The research indicated that students need not punishment but positive reasons to go to school, and to work out for themselves why school is important. Ten key schools have been chosen to be part of that positive program. Mr E.S. Ripper : When do you expect attendance rates to improve? Dr E. CONSTABLE : I see attendance rates in some of those schools already improving, especially in the chosen 10. I am assured there has been a positive effect on attendance of children at those schools. A number of organisations such as the Eagles have come on board. The heroes of these young people are involved in attendance programs for those schools that have very low attendance. The question of attendance is an issue for this government and it was an issue for the former government. Sometimes they are complex questions. Mr B.S. Wyatt : Unfortunately it is getting worse under you! Dr E. CONSTABLE : It is not getting worse under us. In fact overall attendance has risen under this government.
(2) Why has there been a trend in falling attendance rates in at least nine north metropolitan high schools since 2008? (3) How many other schools have had falling attendance rates since 2008? (4) As the minister’s current strategies are clearly not working, what different action will she take to arrest this decline in school attendance? Dr E. CONSTABLE replied: (1)–(4) Members will be aware that an attendance strategy has been put in place. We are working extremely hard to make sure that children not only attend school but also participate in years 11 and 12. I am sure members will be pleased to know that participation rates in years 11 and 12 have remained very steady in the past couple of years, at around the 92 per cent mark. We are very pleased that with the increase in the school entry age the participation rate has been maintained at that level. There are a number of pressure points that we are working on. One of them is the transition from year 7 to year 8. We know that some children at that stage, and their families, find it very difficult to make that transition. We are working on that transition to make sure that children, when they change schools, actually enrol at another school. There are some young people who take the opportunity not to enrol and we then have to chase them up at that point. There was a fall in secondary school attendance between 2000 and 2008, as I mentioned yesterday — Mr B.S. Wyatt : That is not what you mentioned yesterday. Dr E. CONSTABLE : I did mention that yesterday. Mr B.S. Wyatt interjected. Dr E. CONSTABLE : I then quoted a figure that the overall statewide attendance in government schools had slightly increased. The overall attendance I referred to was in — Mr B.S. Wyatt : You said secondary schools were declining. Dr E. CONSTABLE : I did not say secondary schools. If the member checks Hansard , he will see that I did not use the words “secondary school”. Mr B.S. Wyatt : I have it here! The SPEAKER : Member for Victoria Park, I formally call you to order for the first time today. It is not an opportunity to interject. Mr B.S. Wyatt : She asked me to check Hansard . The SPEAKER : I formally call you to order for the second time today. Dr E. CONSTABLE : A major thrust of the attendance strategy is to have — Mr B.S. Wyatt interjected. Dr E. CONSTABLE : We have identified 71 focus schools in the public school system — Several members interjected. Dr E. CONSTABLE : We have identified those 71 public schools. Also, 10 schools have been given a special program and positive reinforcements to children who attend school. Members will also remember that the Auditor General provided a report a couple of years ago on attendance. One of the things he suggested we do is look at positive ways to engage young people. The current strategy is based on research done with young people about what they need to encourage them to go to school, based on the Auditor General’s report. The research indicated that students need not punishment but positive reasons to go to school, and to work out for themselves why school is important. Ten key schools have been chosen to be part of that positive program. Mr E.S. Ripper : When do you expect attendance rates to improve? Dr E. CONSTABLE : I see attendance rates in some of those schools already improving, especially in the chosen 10. I am assured there has been a positive effect on attendance of children at those schools. A number of organisations such as the Eagles have come on board. The heroes of these young people are involved in attendance programs for those schools that have very low attendance. The question of attendance is an issue for this government and it was an issue for the former government. Sometimes they are complex questions. Mr B.S. Wyatt : Unfortunately it is getting worse under you! Dr E. CONSTABLE : It is not getting worse under us. In fact overall attendance has risen under this government.
(3) How many other schools have had falling attendance rates since 2008? (4) As the minister’s current strategies are clearly not working, what different action will she take to arrest this decline in school attendance? Dr E. CONSTABLE replied: (1)–(4) Members will be aware that an attendance strategy has been put in place. We are working extremely hard to make sure that children not only attend school but also participate in years 11 and 12. I am sure members will be pleased to know that participation rates in years 11 and 12 have remained very steady in the past couple of years, at around the 92 per cent mark. We are very pleased that with the increase in the school entry age the participation rate has been maintained at that level. There are a number of pressure points that we are working on. One of them is the transition from year 7 to year 8. We know that some children at that stage, and their families, find it very difficult to make that transition. We are working on that transition to make sure that children, when they change schools, actually enrol at another school. There are some young people who take the opportunity not to enrol and we then have to chase them up at that point. There was a fall in secondary school attendance between 2000 and 2008, as I mentioned yesterday — Mr B.S. Wyatt : That is not what you mentioned yesterday. Dr E. CONSTABLE : I did mention that yesterday. Mr B.S. Wyatt interjected. Dr E. CONSTABLE : I then quoted a figure that the overall statewide attendance in government schools had slightly increased. The overall attendance I referred to was in — Mr B.S. Wyatt : You said secondary schools were declining. Dr E. CONSTABLE : I did not say secondary schools. If the member checks Hansard , he will see that I did not use the words “secondary school”. Mr B.S. Wyatt : I have it here! The SPEAKER : Member for Victoria Park, I formally call you to order for the first time today. It is not an opportunity to interject. Mr B.S. Wyatt : She asked me to check Hansard . The SPEAKER : I formally call you to order for the second time today. Dr E. CONSTABLE : A major thrust of the attendance strategy is to have — Mr B.S. Wyatt interjected. Dr E. CONSTABLE : We have identified 71 focus schools in the public school system — Several members interjected. Dr E. CONSTABLE : We have identified those 71 public schools. Also, 10 schools have been given a special program and positive reinforcements to children who attend school. Members will also remember that the Auditor General provided a report a couple of years ago on attendance. One of the things he suggested we do is look at positive ways to engage young people. The current strategy is based on research done with young people about what they need to encourage them to go to school, based on the Auditor General’s report. The research indicated that students need not punishment but positive reasons to go to school, and to work out for themselves why school is important. Ten key schools have been chosen to be part of that positive program. Mr E.S. Ripper : When do you expect attendance rates to improve? Dr E. CONSTABLE : I see attendance rates in some of those schools already improving, especially in the chosen 10. I am assured there has been a positive effect on attendance of children at those schools. A number of organisations such as the Eagles have come on board. The heroes of these young people are involved in attendance programs for those schools that have very low attendance. The question of attendance is an issue for this government and it was an issue for the former government. Sometimes they are complex questions. Mr B.S. Wyatt : Unfortunately it is getting worse under you! Dr E. CONSTABLE : It is not getting worse under us. In fact overall attendance has risen under this government.
(4) As the minister’s current strategies are clearly not working, what different action will she take to arrest this decline in school attendance? Dr E. CONSTABLE replied: (1)–(4) Members will be aware that an attendance strategy has been put in place. We are working extremely hard to make sure that children not only attend school but also participate in years 11 and 12. I am sure members will be pleased to know that participation rates in years 11 and 12 have remained very steady in the past couple of years, at around the 92 per cent mark. We are very pleased that with the increase in the school entry age the participation rate has been maintained at that level. There are a number of pressure points that we are working on. One of them is the transition from year 7 to year 8. We know that some children at that stage, and their families, find it very difficult to make that transition. We are working on that transition to make sure that children, when they change schools, actually enrol at another school. There are some young people who take the opportunity not to enrol and we then have to chase them up at that point. There was a fall in secondary school attendance between 2000 and 2008, as I mentioned yesterday — Mr B.S. Wyatt : That is not what you mentioned yesterday. Dr E. CONSTABLE : I did mention that yesterday. Mr B.S. Wyatt interjected. Dr E. CONSTABLE : I then quoted a figure that the overall statewide attendance in government schools had slightly increased. The overall attendance I referred to was in — Mr B.S. Wyatt : You said secondary schools were declining. Dr E. CONSTABLE : I did not say secondary schools. If the member checks Hansard , he will see that I did not use the words “secondary school”. Mr B.S. Wyatt : I have it here! The SPEAKER : Member for Victoria Park, I formally call you to order for the first time today. It is not an opportunity to interject. Mr B.S. Wyatt : She asked me to check Hansard . The SPEAKER : I formally call you to order for the second time today. Dr E. CONSTABLE : A major thrust of the attendance strategy is to have — Mr B.S. Wyatt interjected. Dr E. CONSTABLE : We have identified 71 focus schools in the public school system — Several members interjected. Dr E. CONSTABLE : We have identified those 71 public schools. Also, 10 schools have been given a special program and positive reinforcements to children who attend school. Members will also remember that the Auditor General provided a report a couple of years ago on attendance. One of the things he suggested we do is look at positive ways to engage young people. The current strategy is based on research done with young people about what they need to encourage them to go to school, based on the Auditor General’s report. The research indicated that students need not punishment but positive reasons to go to school, and to work out for themselves why school is important. Ten key schools have been chosen to be part of that positive program. Mr E.S. Ripper : When do you expect attendance rates to improve? Dr E. CONSTABLE : I see attendance rates in some of those schools already improving, especially in the chosen 10. I am assured there has been a positive effect on attendance of children at those schools. A number of organisations such as the Eagles have come on board. The heroes of these young people are involved in attendance programs for those schools that have very low attendance. The question of attendance is an issue for this government and it was an issue for the former government. Sometimes they are complex questions. Mr B.S. Wyatt : Unfortunately it is getting worse under you! Dr E. CONSTABLE : It is not getting worse under us. In fact overall attendance has risen under this government.
Dr E. CONSTABLE replied: (1)–(4) Members will be aware that an attendance strategy has been put in place. We are working extremely hard to make sure that children not only attend school but also participate in years 11 and 12. I am sure members will be pleased to know that participation rates in years 11 and 12 have remained very steady in the past couple of years, at around the 92 per cent mark. We are very pleased that with the increase in the school entry age the participation rate has been maintained at that level. There are a number of pressure points that we are working on. One of them is the transition from year 7 to year 8. We know that some children at that stage, and their families, find it very difficult to make that transition. We are working on that transition to make sure that children, when they change schools, actually enrol at another school. There are some young people who take the opportunity not to enrol and we then have to chase them up at that point. There was a fall in secondary school attendance between 2000 and 2008, as I mentioned yesterday — Mr B.S. Wyatt : That is not what you mentioned yesterday. Dr E. CONSTABLE : I did mention that yesterday. Mr B.S. Wyatt interjected. Dr E. CONSTABLE : I then quoted a figure that the overall statewide attendance in government schools had slightly increased. The overall attendance I referred to was in — Mr B.S. Wyatt : You said secondary schools were declining. Dr E. CONSTABLE : I did not say secondary schools. If the member checks Hansard , he will see that I did not use the words “secondary school”. Mr B.S. Wyatt : I have it here! The SPEAKER : Member for Victoria Park, I formally call you to order for the first time today. It is not an opportunity to interject. Mr B.S. Wyatt : She asked me to check Hansard . The SPEAKER : I formally call you to order for the second time today. Dr E. CONSTABLE : A major thrust of the attendance strategy is to have — Mr B.S. Wyatt interjected. Dr E. CONSTABLE : We have identified 71 focus schools in the public school system — Several members interjected. Dr E. CONSTABLE : We have identified those 71 public schools. Also, 10 schools have been given a special program and positive reinforcements to children who attend school. Members will also remember that the Auditor General provided a report a couple of years ago on attendance. One of the things he suggested we do is look at positive ways to engage young people. The current strategy is based on research done with young people about what they need to encourage them to go to school, based on the Auditor General’s report. The research indicated that students need not punishment but positive reasons to go to school, and to work out for themselves why school is important. Ten key schools have been chosen to be part of that positive program. Mr E.S. Ripper : When do you expect attendance rates to improve? Dr E. CONSTABLE : I see attendance rates in some of those schools already improving, especially in the chosen 10. I am assured there has been a positive effect on attendance of children at those schools. A number of organisations such as the Eagles have come on board. The heroes of these young people are involved in attendance programs for those schools that have very low attendance. The question of attendance is an issue for this government and it was an issue for the former government. Sometimes they are complex questions. Mr B.S. Wyatt : Unfortunately it is getting worse under you! Dr E. CONSTABLE : It is not getting worse under us. In fact overall attendance has risen under this government.
(1)–(4) Members will be aware that an attendance strategy has been put in place. We are working extremely hard to make sure that children not only attend school but also participate in years 11 and 12. I am sure members will be pleased to know that participation rates in years 11 and 12 have remained very steady in the past couple of years, at around the 92 per cent mark. We are very pleased that with the increase in the school entry age the participation rate has been maintained at that level. There are a number of pressure points that we are working on. One of them is the transition from year 7 to year 8. We know that some children at that stage, and their families, find it very difficult to make that transition. We are working on that transition to make sure that children, when they change schools, actually enrol at another school. There are some young people who take the opportunity not to enrol and we then have to chase them up at that point. There was a fall in secondary school attendance between 2000 and 2008, as I mentioned yesterday — Mr B.S. Wyatt : That is not what you mentioned yesterday. Dr E. CONSTABLE : I did mention that yesterday. Mr B.S. Wyatt interjected. Dr E. CONSTABLE : I then quoted a figure that the overall statewide attendance in government schools had slightly increased. The overall attendance I referred to was in — Mr B.S. Wyatt : You said secondary schools were declining. Dr E. CONSTABLE : I did not say secondary schools. If the member checks Hansard , he will see that I did not use the words “secondary school”. Mr B.S. Wyatt : I have it here! The SPEAKER : Member for Victoria Park, I formally call you to order for the first time today. It is not an opportunity to interject. Mr B.S. Wyatt : She asked me to check Hansard . The SPEAKER : I formally call you to order for the second time today. Dr E. CONSTABLE : A major thrust of the attendance strategy is to have — Mr B.S. Wyatt interjected. Dr E. CONSTABLE : We have identified 71 focus schools in the public school system — Several members interjected. Dr E. CONSTABLE : We have identified those 71 public schools. Also, 10 schools have been given a special program and positive reinforcements to children who attend school. Members will also remember that the Auditor General provided a report a couple of years ago on attendance. One of the things he suggested we do is look at positive ways to engage young people. The current strategy is based on research done with young people about what they need to encourage them to go to school, based on the Auditor General’s report. The research indicated that students need not punishment but positive reasons to go to school, and to work out for themselves why school is important. Ten key schools have been chosen to be part of that positive program. Mr E.S. Ripper : When do you expect attendance rates to improve? Dr E. CONSTABLE : I see attendance rates in some of those schools already improving, especially in the chosen 10. I am assured there has been a positive effect on attendance of children at those schools. A number of organisations such as the Eagles have come on board. The heroes of these young people are involved in attendance programs for those schools that have very low attendance. The question of attendance is an issue for this government and it was an issue for the former government. Sometimes they are complex questions. Mr B.S. Wyatt : Unfortunately it is getting worse under you! Dr E. CONSTABLE : It is not getting worse under us. In fact overall attendance has risen under this government.
Dr E. CONSTABLE : I did mention that yesterday. Mr B.S. Wyatt interjected. Dr E. CONSTABLE : I then quoted a figure that the overall statewide attendance in government schools had slightly increased. The overall attendance I referred to was in — Mr B.S. Wyatt : You said secondary schools were declining. Dr E. CONSTABLE : I did not say secondary schools. If the member checks Hansard , he will see that I did not use the words “secondary school”. Mr B.S. Wyatt : I have it here! The SPEAKER : Member for Victoria Park, I formally call you to order for the first time today. It is not an opportunity to interject. Mr B.S. Wyatt : She asked me to check Hansard . The SPEAKER : I formally call you to order for the second time today. Dr E. CONSTABLE : A major thrust of the attendance strategy is to have — Mr B.S. Wyatt interjected. Dr E. CONSTABLE : We have identified 71 focus schools in the public school system — Several members interjected. Dr E. CONSTABLE : We have identified those 71 public schools. Also, 10 schools have been given a special program and positive reinforcements to children who attend school. Members will also remember that the Auditor General provided a report a couple of years ago on attendance. One of the things he suggested we do is look at positive ways to engage young people. The current strategy is based on research done with young people about what they need to encourage them to go to school, based on the Auditor General’s report. The research indicated that students need not punishment but positive reasons to go to school, and to work out for themselves why school is important. Ten key schools have been chosen to be part of that positive program. Mr E.S. Ripper : When do you expect attendance rates to improve? Dr E. CONSTABLE : I see attendance rates in some of those schools already improving, especially in the chosen 10. I am assured there has been a positive effect on attendance of children at those schools. A number of organisations such as the Eagles have come on board. The heroes of these young people are involved in attendance programs for those schools that have very low attendance. The question of attendance is an issue for this government and it was an issue for the former government. Sometimes they are complex questions. Mr B.S. Wyatt : Unfortunately it is getting worse under you! Dr E. CONSTABLE : It is not getting worse under us. In fact overall attendance has risen under this government.
Mr B.S. Wyatt interjected. Dr E. CONSTABLE : I then quoted a figure that the overall statewide attendance in government schools had slightly increased. The overall attendance I referred to was in — Mr B.S. Wyatt : You said secondary schools were declining. Dr E. CONSTABLE : I did not say secondary schools. If the member checks Hansard , he will see that I did not use the words “secondary school”. Mr B.S. Wyatt : I have it here! The SPEAKER : Member for Victoria Park, I formally call you to order for the first time today. It is not an opportunity to interject. Mr B.S. Wyatt : She asked me to check Hansard . The SPEAKER : I formally call you to order for the second time today. Dr E. CONSTABLE : A major thrust of the attendance strategy is to have — Mr B.S. Wyatt interjected. Dr E. CONSTABLE : We have identified 71 focus schools in the public school system — Several members interjected. Dr E. CONSTABLE : We have identified those 71 public schools. Also, 10 schools have been given a special program and positive reinforcements to children who attend school. Members will also remember that the Auditor General provided a report a couple of years ago on attendance. One of the things he suggested we do is look at positive ways to engage young people. The current strategy is based on research done with young people about what they need to encourage them to go to school, based on the Auditor General’s report. The research indicated that students need not punishment but positive reasons to go to school, and to work out for themselves why school is important. Ten key schools have been chosen to be part of that positive program. Mr E.S. Ripper : When do you expect attendance rates to improve? Dr E. CONSTABLE : I see attendance rates in some of those schools already improving, especially in the chosen 10. I am assured there has been a positive effect on attendance of children at those schools. A number of organisations such as the Eagles have come on board. The heroes of these young people are involved in attendance programs for those schools that have very low attendance. The question of attendance is an issue for this government and it was an issue for the former government. Sometimes they are complex questions. Mr B.S. Wyatt : Unfortunately it is getting worse under you! Dr E. CONSTABLE : It is not getting worse under us. In fact overall attendance has risen under this government.
Dr E. CONSTABLE : I then quoted a figure that the overall statewide attendance in government schools had slightly increased. The overall attendance I referred to was in — Mr B.S. Wyatt : You said secondary schools were declining. Dr E. CONSTABLE : I did not say secondary schools. If the member checks Hansard , he will see that I did not use the words “secondary school”. Mr B.S. Wyatt : I have it here! The SPEAKER : Member for Victoria Park, I formally call you to order for the first time today. It is not an opportunity to interject. Mr B.S. Wyatt : She asked me to check Hansard . The SPEAKER : I formally call you to order for the second time today. Dr E. CONSTABLE : A major thrust of the attendance strategy is to have — Mr B.S. Wyatt interjected. Dr E. CONSTABLE : We have identified 71 focus schools in the public school system — Several members interjected. Dr E. CONSTABLE : We have identified those 71 public schools. Also, 10 schools have been given a special program and positive reinforcements to children who attend school. Members will also remember that the Auditor General provided a report a couple of years ago on attendance. One of the things he suggested we do is look at positive ways to engage young people. The current strategy is based on research done with young people about what they need to encourage them to go to school, based on the Auditor General’s report. The research indicated that students need not punishment but positive reasons to go to school, and to work out for themselves why school is important. Ten key schools have been chosen to be part of that positive program. Mr E.S. Ripper : When do you expect attendance rates to improve? Dr E. CONSTABLE : I see attendance rates in some of those schools already improving, especially in the chosen 10. I am assured there has been a positive effect on attendance of children at those schools. A number of organisations such as the Eagles have come on board. The heroes of these young people are involved in attendance programs for those schools that have very low attendance. The question of attendance is an issue for this government and it was an issue for the former government. Sometimes they are complex questions. Mr B.S. Wyatt : Unfortunately it is getting worse under you! Dr E. CONSTABLE : It is not getting worse under us. In fact overall attendance has risen under this government.
Mr B.S. Wyatt : You said secondary schools were declining. Dr E. CONSTABLE : I did not say secondary schools. If the member checks Hansard , he will see that I did not use the words “secondary school”. Mr B.S. Wyatt : I have it here! The SPEAKER : Member for Victoria Park, I formally call you to order for the first time today. It is not an opportunity to interject. Mr B.S. Wyatt : She asked me to check Hansard . The SPEAKER : I formally call you to order for the second time today. Dr E. CONSTABLE : A major thrust of the attendance strategy is to have — Mr B.S. Wyatt interjected. Dr E. CONSTABLE : We have identified 71 focus schools in the public school system — Several members interjected. Dr E. CONSTABLE : We have identified those 71 public schools. Also, 10 schools have been given a special program and positive reinforcements to children who attend school. Members will also remember that the Auditor General provided a report a couple of years ago on attendance. One of the things he suggested we do is look at positive ways to engage young people. The current strategy is based on research done with young people about what they need to encourage them to go to school, based on the Auditor General’s report. The research indicated that students need not punishment but positive reasons to go to school, and to work out for themselves why school is important. Ten key schools have been chosen to be part of that positive program. Mr E.S. Ripper : When do you expect attendance rates to improve? Dr E. CONSTABLE : I see attendance rates in some of those schools already improving, especially in the chosen 10. I am assured there has been a positive effect on attendance of children at those schools. A number of organisations such as the Eagles have come on board. The heroes of these young people are involved in attendance programs for those schools that have very low attendance. The question of attendance is an issue for this government and it was an issue for the former government. Sometimes they are complex questions. Mr B.S. Wyatt : Unfortunately it is getting worse under you! Dr E. CONSTABLE : It is not getting worse under us. In fact overall attendance has risen under this government.
Dr E. CONSTABLE : I did not say secondary schools. If the member checks Hansard , he will see that I did not use the words “secondary school”. Mr B.S. Wyatt : I have it here! The SPEAKER : Member for Victoria Park, I formally call you to order for the first time today. It is not an opportunity to interject. Mr B.S. Wyatt : She asked me to check Hansard . The SPEAKER : I formally call you to order for the second time today. Dr E. CONSTABLE : A major thrust of the attendance strategy is to have — Mr B.S. Wyatt interjected. Dr E. CONSTABLE : We have identified 71 focus schools in the public school system — Several members interjected. Dr E. CONSTABLE : We have identified those 71 public schools. Also, 10 schools have been given a special program and positive reinforcements to children who attend school. Members will also remember that the Auditor General provided a report a couple of years ago on attendance. One of the things he suggested we do is look at positive ways to engage young people. The current strategy is based on research done with young people about what they need to encourage them to go to school, based on the Auditor General’s report. The research indicated that students need not punishment but positive reasons to go to school, and to work out for themselves why school is important. Ten key schools have been chosen to be part of that positive program. Mr E.S. Ripper : When do you expect attendance rates to improve? Dr E. CONSTABLE : I see attendance rates in some of those schools already improving, especially in the chosen 10. I am assured there has been a positive effect on attendance of children at those schools. A number of organisations such as the Eagles have come on board. The heroes of these young people are involved in attendance programs for those schools that have very low attendance. The question of attendance is an issue for this government and it was an issue for the former government. Sometimes they are complex questions. Mr B.S. Wyatt : Unfortunately it is getting worse under you! Dr E. CONSTABLE : It is not getting worse under us. In fact overall attendance has risen under this government.
Mr B.S. Wyatt : I have it here! The SPEAKER : Member for Victoria Park, I formally call you to order for the first time today. It is not an opportunity to interject. Mr B.S. Wyatt : She asked me to check Hansard . The SPEAKER : I formally call you to order for the second time today. Dr E. CONSTABLE : A major thrust of the attendance strategy is to have — Mr B.S. Wyatt interjected. Dr E. CONSTABLE : We have identified 71 focus schools in the public school system — Several members interjected. Dr E. CONSTABLE : We have identified those 71 public schools. Also, 10 schools have been given a special program and positive reinforcements to children who attend school. Members will also remember that the Auditor General provided a report a couple of years ago on attendance. One of the things he suggested we do is look at positive ways to engage young people. The current strategy is based on research done with young people about what they need to encourage them to go to school, based on the Auditor General’s report. The research indicated that students need not punishment but positive reasons to go to school, and to work out for themselves why school is important. Ten key schools have been chosen to be part of that positive program. Mr E.S. Ripper : When do you expect attendance rates to improve? Dr E. CONSTABLE : I see attendance rates in some of those schools already improving, especially in the chosen 10. I am assured there has been a positive effect on attendance of children at those schools. A number of organisations such as the Eagles have come on board. The heroes of these young people are involved in attendance programs for those schools that have very low attendance. The question of attendance is an issue for this government and it was an issue for the former government. Sometimes they are complex questions. Mr B.S. Wyatt : Unfortunately it is getting worse under you! Dr E. CONSTABLE : It is not getting worse under us. In fact overall attendance has risen under this government.
The SPEAKER : Member for Victoria Park, I formally call you to order for the first time today. It is not an opportunity to interject. Mr B.S. Wyatt : She asked me to check Hansard . The SPEAKER : I formally call you to order for the second time today. Dr E. CONSTABLE : A major thrust of the attendance strategy is to have — Mr B.S. Wyatt interjected. Dr E. CONSTABLE : We have identified 71 focus schools in the public school system — Several members interjected. Dr E. CONSTABLE : We have identified those 71 public schools. Also, 10 schools have been given a special program and positive reinforcements to children who attend school. Members will also remember that the Auditor General provided a report a couple of years ago on attendance. One of the things he suggested we do is look at positive ways to engage young people. The current strategy is based on research done with young people about what they need to encourage them to go to school, based on the Auditor General’s report. The research indicated that students need not punishment but positive reasons to go to school, and to work out for themselves why school is important. Ten key schools have been chosen to be part of that positive program. Mr E.S. Ripper : When do you expect attendance rates to improve? Dr E. CONSTABLE : I see attendance rates in some of those schools already improving, especially in the chosen 10. I am assured there has been a positive effect on attendance of children at those schools. A number of organisations such as the Eagles have come on board. The heroes of these young people are involved in attendance programs for those schools that have very low attendance. The question of attendance is an issue for this government and it was an issue for the former government. Sometimes they are complex questions. Mr B.S. Wyatt : Unfortunately it is getting worse under you! Dr E. CONSTABLE : It is not getting worse under us. In fact overall attendance has risen under this government.
Mr B.S. Wyatt : She asked me to check Hansard . The SPEAKER : I formally call you to order for the second time today. Dr E. CONSTABLE : A major thrust of the attendance strategy is to have — Mr B.S. Wyatt interjected. Dr E. CONSTABLE : We have identified 71 focus schools in the public school system — Several members interjected. Dr E. CONSTABLE : We have identified those 71 public schools. Also, 10 schools have been given a special program and positive reinforcements to children who attend school. Members will also remember that the Auditor General provided a report a couple of years ago on attendance. One of the things he suggested we do is look at positive ways to engage young people. The current strategy is based on research done with young people about what they need to encourage them to go to school, based on the Auditor General’s report. The research indicated that students need not punishment but positive reasons to go to school, and to work out for themselves why school is important. Ten key schools have been chosen to be part of that positive program. Mr E.S. Ripper : When do you expect attendance rates to improve? Dr E. CONSTABLE : I see attendance rates in some of those schools already improving, especially in the chosen 10. I am assured there has been a positive effect on attendance of children at those schools. A number of organisations such as the Eagles have come on board. The heroes of these young people are involved in attendance programs for those schools that have very low attendance. The question of attendance is an issue for this government and it was an issue for the former government. Sometimes they are complex questions. Mr B.S. Wyatt : Unfortunately it is getting worse under you! Dr E. CONSTABLE : It is not getting worse under us. In fact overall attendance has risen under this government.
The SPEAKER : I formally call you to order for the second time today. Dr E. CONSTABLE : A major thrust of the attendance strategy is to have — Mr B.S. Wyatt interjected. Dr E. CONSTABLE : We have identified 71 focus schools in the public school system — Several members interjected. Dr E. CONSTABLE : We have identified those 71 public schools. Also, 10 schools have been given a special program and positive reinforcements to children who attend school. Members will also remember that the Auditor General provided a report a couple of years ago on attendance. One of the things he suggested we do is look at positive ways to engage young people. The current strategy is based on research done with young people about what they need to encourage them to go to school, based on the Auditor General’s report. The research indicated that students need not punishment but positive reasons to go to school, and to work out for themselves why school is important. Ten key schools have been chosen to be part of that positive program. Mr E.S. Ripper : When do you expect attendance rates to improve? Dr E. CONSTABLE : I see attendance rates in some of those schools already improving, especially in the chosen 10. I am assured there has been a positive effect on attendance of children at those schools. A number of organisations such as the Eagles have come on board. The heroes of these young people are involved in attendance programs for those schools that have very low attendance. The question of attendance is an issue for this government and it was an issue for the former government. Sometimes they are complex questions. Mr B.S. Wyatt : Unfortunately it is getting worse under you! Dr E. CONSTABLE : It is not getting worse under us. In fact overall attendance has risen under this government.
Dr E. CONSTABLE : A major thrust of the attendance strategy is to have — Mr B.S. Wyatt interjected. Dr E. CONSTABLE : We have identified 71 focus schools in the public school system — Several members interjected. Dr E. CONSTABLE : We have identified those 71 public schools. Also, 10 schools have been given a special program and positive reinforcements to children who attend school. Members will also remember that the Auditor General provided a report a couple of years ago on attendance. One of the things he suggested we do is look at positive ways to engage young people. The current strategy is based on research done with young people about what they need to encourage them to go to school, based on the Auditor General’s report. The research indicated that students need not punishment but positive reasons to go to school, and to work out for themselves why school is important. Ten key schools have been chosen to be part of that positive program. Mr E.S. Ripper : When do you expect attendance rates to improve? Dr E. CONSTABLE : I see attendance rates in some of those schools already improving, especially in the chosen 10. I am assured there has been a positive effect on attendance of children at those schools. A number of organisations such as the Eagles have come on board. The heroes of these young people are involved in attendance programs for those schools that have very low attendance. The question of attendance is an issue for this government and it was an issue for the former government. Sometimes they are complex questions. Mr B.S. Wyatt : Unfortunately it is getting worse under you! Dr E. CONSTABLE : It is not getting worse under us. In fact overall attendance has risen under this government.
Mr B.S. Wyatt interjected. Dr E. CONSTABLE : We have identified 71 focus schools in the public school system — Several members interjected. Dr E. CONSTABLE : We have identified those 71 public schools. Also, 10 schools have been given a special program and positive reinforcements to children who attend school. Members will also remember that the Auditor General provided a report a couple of years ago on attendance. One of the things he suggested we do is look at positive ways to engage young people. The current strategy is based on research done with young people about what they need to encourage them to go to school, based on the Auditor General’s report. The research indicated that students need not punishment but positive reasons to go to school, and to work out for themselves why school is important. Ten key schools have been chosen to be part of that positive program. Mr E.S. Ripper : When do you expect attendance rates to improve? Dr E. CONSTABLE : I see attendance rates in some of those schools already improving, especially in the chosen 10. I am assured there has been a positive effect on attendance of children at those schools. A number of organisations such as the Eagles have come on board. The heroes of these young people are involved in attendance programs for those schools that have very low attendance. The question of attendance is an issue for this government and it was an issue for the former government. Sometimes they are complex questions. Mr B.S. Wyatt : Unfortunately it is getting worse under you! Dr E. CONSTABLE : It is not getting worse under us. In fact overall attendance has risen under this government.
Dr E. CONSTABLE : We have identified 71 focus schools in the public school system — Several members interjected. Dr E. CONSTABLE : We have identified those 71 public schools. Also, 10 schools have been given a special program and positive reinforcements to children who attend school. Members will also remember that the Auditor General provided a report a couple of years ago on attendance. One of the things he suggested we do is look at positive ways to engage young people. The current strategy is based on research done with young people about what they need to encourage them to go to school, based on the Auditor General’s report. The research indicated that students need not punishment but positive reasons to go to school, and to work out for themselves why school is important. Ten key schools have been chosen to be part of that positive program. Mr E.S. Ripper : When do you expect attendance rates to improve? Dr E. CONSTABLE : I see attendance rates in some of those schools already improving, especially in the chosen 10. I am assured there has been a positive effect on attendance of children at those schools. A number of organisations such as the Eagles have come on board. The heroes of these young people are involved in attendance programs for those schools that have very low attendance. The question of attendance is an issue for this government and it was an issue for the former government. Sometimes they are complex questions. Mr B.S. Wyatt : Unfortunately it is getting worse under you! Dr E. CONSTABLE : It is not getting worse under us. In fact overall attendance has risen under this government.
Several members interjected. Dr E. CONSTABLE : We have identified those 71 public schools. Also, 10 schools have been given a special program and positive reinforcements to children who attend school. Members will also remember that the Auditor General provided a report a couple of years ago on attendance. One of the things he suggested we do is look at positive ways to engage young people. The current strategy is based on research done with young people about what they need to encourage them to go to school, based on the Auditor General’s report. The research indicated that students need not punishment but positive reasons to go to school, and to work out for themselves why school is important. Ten key schools have been chosen to be part of that positive program. Mr E.S. Ripper : When do you expect attendance rates to improve? Dr E. CONSTABLE : I see attendance rates in some of those schools already improving, especially in the chosen 10. I am assured there has been a positive effect on attendance of children at those schools. A number of organisations such as the Eagles have come on board. The heroes of these young people are involved in attendance programs for those schools that have very low attendance. The question of attendance is an issue for this government and it was an issue for the former government. Sometimes they are complex questions. Mr B.S. Wyatt : Unfortunately it is getting worse under you! Dr E. CONSTABLE : It is not getting worse under us. In fact overall attendance has risen under this government.
Dr E. CONSTABLE : We have identified those 71 public schools. Also, 10 schools have been given a special program and positive reinforcements to children who attend school. Members will also remember that the Auditor General provided a report a couple of years ago on attendance. One of the things he suggested we do is look at positive ways to engage young people. The current strategy is based on research done with young people about what they need to encourage them to go to school, based on the Auditor General’s report. The research indicated that students need not punishment but positive reasons to go to school, and to work out for themselves why school is important. Ten key schools have been chosen to be part of that positive program. Mr E.S. Ripper : When do you expect attendance rates to improve? Dr E. CONSTABLE : I see attendance rates in some of those schools already improving, especially in the chosen 10. I am assured there has been a positive effect on attendance of children at those schools. A number of organisations such as the Eagles have come on board. The heroes of these young people are involved in attendance programs for those schools that have very low attendance. The question of attendance is an issue for this government and it was an issue for the former government. Sometimes they are complex questions. Mr B.S. Wyatt : Unfortunately it is getting worse under you! Dr E. CONSTABLE : It is not getting worse under us. In fact overall attendance has risen under this government.
Mr E.S. Ripper : When do you expect attendance rates to improve? Dr E. CONSTABLE : I see attendance rates in some of those schools already improving, especially in the chosen 10. I am assured there has been a positive effect on attendance of children at those schools. A number of organisations such as the Eagles have come on board. The heroes of these young people are involved in attendance programs for those schools that have very low attendance. The question of attendance is an issue for this government and it was an issue for the former government. Sometimes they are complex questions. Mr B.S. Wyatt : Unfortunately it is getting worse under you! Dr E. CONSTABLE : It is not getting worse under us. In fact overall attendance has risen under this government.
Dr E. CONSTABLE : I see attendance rates in some of those schools already improving, especially in the chosen 10. I am assured there has been a positive effect on attendance of children at those schools. A number of organisations such as the Eagles have come on board. The heroes of these young people are involved in attendance programs for those schools that have very low attendance. The question of attendance is an issue for this government and it was an issue for the former government. Sometimes they are complex questions. Mr B.S. Wyatt : Unfortunately it is getting worse under you! Dr E. CONSTABLE : It is not getting worse under us. In fact overall attendance has risen under this government.
Mr B.S. Wyatt : Unfortunately it is getting worse under you! Dr E. CONSTABLE : It is not getting worse under us. In fact overall attendance has risen under this government.
Dr E. CONSTABLE : It is not getting worse under us. In fact overall attendance has risen under this government.
I refer to the trend in falling attendance rates in many Perth high schools since 2008. (1) What action is the minister taking to address schools at which attendance rates fall below 80 per cent? (2) Why has there been a trend in falling attendance rates in at least nine north metropolitan high schools since 2008? (3) How many other schools have had falling attendance rates since 2008? (4) As the minister’s current strategies are clearly not working, what different action will she take to arrest this decline in school attendance? Dr E. CONSTABLE replied: (1)–(4) Members will be aware that an attendance strategy has been put in place. We are working extremely hard to make sure that children not only attend school but also participate in years 11 and 12. I am sure members will be pleased to know that participation rates in years 11 and 12 have remained very steady in the past couple of years, at around the 92 per cent mark. We are very pleased that with the increase in the school entry age the participation rate has been maintained at that level. There are a number of pressure points that we are working on. One of them is the transition from year 7 to year 8. We know that some children at that stage, and their families, find it very difficult to make that transition. We are working on that transition to make sure that children, when they change schools, actually enrol at another school. There are some young people who take the opportunity not to enrol and we then have to chase them up at that point. There was a fall in secondary school attendance between 2000 and 2008, as I mentioned yesterday — Mr B.S. Wyatt : That is not what you mentioned yesterday. Dr E. CONSTABLE : I did mention that yesterday. Mr B.S. Wyatt interjected. Dr E. CONSTABLE : I then quoted a figure that the overall statewide attendance in government schools had slightly increased. The overall attendance I referred to was in — Mr B.S. Wyatt : You said secondary schools were declining. Dr E. CONSTABLE : I did not say secondary schools. If the member checks Hansard , he will see that I did not use the words “secondary school”. Mr B.S. Wyatt : I have it here! The SPEAKER : Member for Victoria Park, I formally call you to order for the first time today. It is not an opportunity to interject. Mr B.S. Wyatt : She asked me to check Hansard . The SPEAKER : I formally call you to order for the second time today. Dr E. CONSTABLE : A major thrust of the attendance strategy is to have — Mr B.S. Wyatt interjected. Dr E. CONSTABLE : We have identified 71 focus schools in the public school system — Several members interjected. Dr E. CONSTABLE : We have identified those 71 public schools. Also, 10 schools have been given a special program and positive reinforcements to children who attend school. Members will also remember that the Auditor General provided a report a couple of years ago on attendance. One of the things he suggested we do is look at positive ways to engage young people. The current strategy is based on research done with young people about what they need to encourage them to go to school, based on the Auditor General’s report. The research indicated that students need not punishment but positive reasons to go to school, and to work out for themselves why school is important. Ten key schools have been chosen to be part of that positive program. Mr E.S. Ripper : When do you expect attendance rates to improve? Dr E. CONSTABLE : I see attendance rates in some of those schools already improving, especially in the chosen 10. I am assured there has been a positive effect on attendance of children at those schools. A number of organisations such as the Eagles have come on board. The heroes of these young people are involved in attendance programs for those schools that have very low attendance. The question of attendance is an issue for this government and it was an issue for the former government. Sometimes they are complex questions. Mr B.S. Wyatt : Unfortunately it is getting worse under you! Dr E. CONSTABLE : It is not getting worse under us. In fact overall attendance has risen under this government.
(1) What action is the minister taking to address schools at which attendance rates fall below 80 per cent? (2) Why has there been a trend in falling attendance rates in at least nine north metropolitan high schools since 2008? (3) How many other schools have had falling attendance rates since 2008? (4) As the minister’s current strategies are clearly not working, what different action will she take to arrest this decline in school attendance? Dr E. CONSTABLE replied: (1)–(4) Members will be aware that an attendance strategy has been put in place. We are working extremely hard to make sure that children not only attend school but also participate in years 11 and 12. I am sure members will be pleased to know that participation rates in years 11 and 12 have remained very steady in the past couple of years, at around the 92 per cent mark. We are very pleased that with the increase in the school entry age the participation rate has been maintained at that level. There are a number of pressure points that we are working on. One of them is the transition from year 7 to year 8. We know that some children at that stage, and their families, find it very difficult to make that transition. We are working on that transition to make sure that children, when they change schools, actually enrol at another school. There are some young people who take the opportunity not to enrol and we then have to chase them up at that point. There was a fall in secondary school attendance between 2000 and 2008, as I mentioned yesterday — Mr B.S. Wyatt : That is not what you mentioned yesterday. Dr E. CONSTABLE : I did mention that yesterday. Mr B.S. Wyatt interjected. Dr E. CONSTABLE : I then quoted a figure that the overall statewide attendance in government schools had slightly increased. The overall attendance I referred to was in — Mr B.S. Wyatt : You said secondary schools were declining. Dr E. CONSTABLE : I did not say secondary schools. If the member checks Hansard , he will see that I did not use the words “secondary school”. Mr B.S. Wyatt : I have it here! The SPEAKER : Member for Victoria Park, I formally call you to order for the first time today. It is not an opportunity to interject. Mr B.S. Wyatt : She asked me to check Hansard . The SPEAKER : I formally call you to order for the second time today. Dr E. CONSTABLE : A major thrust of the attendance strategy is to have — Mr B.S. Wyatt interjected. Dr E. CONSTABLE : We have identified 71 focus schools in the public school system — Several members interjected. Dr E. CONSTABLE : We have identified those 71 public schools. Also, 10 schools have been given a special program and positive reinforcements to children who attend school. Members will also remember that the Auditor General provided a report a couple of years ago on attendance. One of the things he suggested we do is look at positive ways to engage young people. The current strategy is based on research done with young people about what they need to encourage them to go to school, based on the Auditor General’s report. The research indicated that students need not punishment but positive reasons to go to school, and to work out for themselves why school is important. Ten key schools have been chosen to be part of that positive program. Mr E.S. Ripper : When do you expect attendance rates to improve? Dr E. CONSTABLE : I see attendance rates in some of those schools already improving, especially in the chosen 10. I am assured there has been a positive effect on attendance of children at those schools. A number of organisations such as the Eagles have come on board. The heroes of these young people are involved in attendance programs for those schools that have very low attendance. The question of attendance is an issue for this government and it was an issue for the former government. Sometimes they are complex questions. Mr B.S. Wyatt : Unfortunately it is getting worse under you! Dr E. CONSTABLE : It is not getting worse under us. In fact overall attendance has risen under this government.
(2) Why has there been a trend in falling attendance rates in at least nine north metropolitan high schools since 2008? (3) How many other schools have had falling attendance rates since 2008? (4) As the minister’s current strategies are clearly not working, what different action will she take to arrest this decline in school attendance? Dr E. CONSTABLE replied: (1)–(4) Members will be aware that an attendance strategy has been put in place. We are working extremely hard to make sure that children not only attend school but also participate in years 11 and 12. I am sure members will be pleased to know that participation rates in years 11 and 12 have remained very steady in the past couple of years, at around the 92 per cent mark. We are very pleased that with the increase in the school entry age the participation rate has been maintained at that level. There are a number of pressure points that we are working on. One of them is the transition from year 7 to year 8. We know that some children at that stage, and their families, find it very difficult to make that transition. We are working on that transition to make sure that children, when they change schools, actually enrol at another school. There are some young people who take the opportunity not to enrol and we then have to chase them up at that point. There was a fall in secondary school attendance between 2000 and 2008, as I mentioned yesterday — Mr B.S. Wyatt : That is not what you mentioned yesterday. Dr E. CONSTABLE : I did mention that yesterday. Mr B.S. Wyatt interjected. Dr E. CONSTABLE : I then quoted a figure that the overall statewide attendance in government schools had slightly increased. The overall attendance I referred to was in — Mr B.S. Wyatt : You said secondary schools were declining. Dr E. CONSTABLE : I did not say secondary schools. If the member checks Hansard , he will see that I did not use the words “secondary school”. Mr B.S. Wyatt : I have it here! The SPEAKER : Member for Victoria Park, I formally call you to order for the first time today. It is not an opportunity to interject. Mr B.S. Wyatt : She asked me to check Hansard . The SPEAKER : I formally call you to order for the second time today. Dr E. CONSTABLE : A major thrust of the attendance strategy is to have — Mr B.S. Wyatt interjected. Dr E. CONSTABLE : We have identified 71 focus schools in the public school system — Several members interjected. Dr E. CONSTABLE : We have identified those 71 public schools. Also, 10 schools have been given a special program and positive reinforcements to children who attend school. Members will also remember that the Auditor General provided a report a couple of years ago on attendance. One of the things he suggested we do is look at positive ways to engage young people. The current strategy is based on research done with young people about what they need to encourage them to go to school, based on the Auditor General’s report. The research indicated that students need not punishment but positive reasons to go to school, and to work out for themselves why school is important. Ten key schools have been chosen to be part of that positive program. Mr E.S. Ripper : When do you expect attendance rates to improve? Dr E. CONSTABLE : I see attendance rates in some of those schools already improving, especially in the chosen 10. I am assured there has been a positive effect on attendance of children at those schools. A number of organisations such as the Eagles have come on board. The heroes of these young people are involved in attendance programs for those schools that have very low attendance. The question of attendance is an issue for this government and it was an issue for the former government. Sometimes they are complex questions. Mr B.S. Wyatt : Unfortunately it is getting worse under you! Dr E. CONSTABLE : It is not getting worse under us. In fact overall attendance has risen under this government.
(3) How many other schools have had falling attendance rates since 2008? (4) As the minister’s current strategies are clearly not working, what different action will she take to arrest this decline in school attendance? Dr E. CONSTABLE replied: (1)–(4) Members will be aware that an attendance strategy has been put in place. We are working extremely hard to make sure that children not only attend school but also participate in years 11 and 12. I am sure members will be pleased to know that participation rates in years 11 and 12 have remained very steady in the past couple of years, at around the 92 per cent mark. We are very pleased that with the increase in the school entry age the participation rate has been maintained at that level. There are a number of pressure points that we are working on. One of them is the transition from year 7 to year 8. We know that some children at that stage, and their families, find it very difficult to make that transition. We are working on that transition to make sure that children, when they change schools, actually enrol at another school. There are some young people who take the opportunity not to enrol and we then have to chase them up at that point. There was a fall in secondary school attendance between 2000 and 2008, as I mentioned yesterday — Mr B.S. Wyatt : That is not what you mentioned yesterday. Dr E. CONSTABLE : I did mention that yesterday. Mr B.S. Wyatt interjected. Dr E. CONSTABLE : I then quoted a figure that the overall statewide attendance in government schools had slightly increased. The overall attendance I referred to was in — Mr B.S. Wyatt : You said secondary schools were declining. Dr E. CONSTABLE : I did not say secondary schools. If the member checks Hansard , he will see that I did not use the words “secondary school”. Mr B.S. Wyatt : I have it here! The SPEAKER : Member for Victoria Park, I formally call you to order for the first time today. It is not an opportunity to interject. Mr B.S. Wyatt : She asked me to check Hansard . The SPEAKER : I formally call you to order for the second time today. Dr E. CONSTABLE : A major thrust of the attendance strategy is to have — Mr B.S. Wyatt interjected. Dr E. CONSTABLE : We have identified 71 focus schools in the public school system — Several members interjected. Dr E. CONSTABLE : We have identified those 71 public schools. Also, 10 schools have been given a special program and positive reinforcements to children who attend school. Members will also remember that the Auditor General provided a report a couple of years ago on attendance. One of the things he suggested we do is look at positive ways to engage young people. The current strategy is based on research done with young people about what they need to encourage them to go to school, based on the Auditor General’s report. The research indicated that students need not punishment but positive reasons to go to school, and to work out for themselves why school is important. Ten key schools have been chosen to be part of that positive program. Mr E.S. Ripper : When do you expect attendance rates to improve? Dr E. CONSTABLE : I see attendance rates in some of those schools already improving, especially in the chosen 10. I am assured there has been a positive effect on attendance of children at those schools. A number of organisations such as the Eagles have come on board. The heroes of these young people are involved in attendance programs for those schools that have very low attendance. The question of attendance is an issue for this government and it was an issue for the former government. Sometimes they are complex questions. Mr B.S. Wyatt : Unfortunately it is getting worse under you! Dr E. CONSTABLE : It is not getting worse under us. In fact overall attendance has risen under this government.
(4) As the minister’s current strategies are clearly not working, what different action will she take to arrest this decline in school attendance? Dr E. CONSTABLE replied: (1)–(4) Members will be aware that an attendance strategy has been put in place. We are working extremely hard to make sure that children not only attend school but also participate in years 11 and 12. I am sure members will be pleased to know that participation rates in years 11 and 12 have remained very steady in the past couple of years, at around the 92 per cent mark. We are very pleased that with the increase in the school entry age the participation rate has been maintained at that level. There are a number of pressure points that we are working on. One of them is the transition from year 7 to year 8. We know that some children at that stage, and their families, find it very difficult to make that transition. We are working on that transition to make sure that children, when they change schools, actually enrol at another school. There are some young people who take the opportunity not to enrol and we then have to chase them up at that point. There was a fall in secondary school attendance between 2000 and 2008, as I mentioned yesterday — Mr B.S. Wyatt : That is not what you mentioned yesterday. Dr E. CONSTABLE : I did mention that yesterday. Mr B.S. Wyatt interjected. Dr E. CONSTABLE : I then quoted a figure that the overall statewide attendance in government schools had slightly increased. The overall attendance I referred to was in — Mr B.S. Wyatt : You said secondary schools were declining. Dr E. CONSTABLE : I did not say secondary schools. If the member checks Hansard , he will see that I did not use the words “secondary school”. Mr B.S. Wyatt : I have it here! The SPEAKER : Member for Victoria Park, I formally call you to order for the first time today. It is not an opportunity to interject. Mr B.S. Wyatt : She asked me to check Hansard . The SPEAKER : I formally call you to order for the second time today. Dr E. CONSTABLE : A major thrust of the attendance strategy is to have — Mr B.S. Wyatt interjected. Dr E. CONSTABLE : We have identified 71 focus schools in the public school system — Several members interjected. Dr E. CONSTABLE : We have identified those 71 public schools. Also, 10 schools have been given a special program and positive reinforcements to children who attend school. Members will also remember that the Auditor General provided a report a couple of years ago on attendance. One of the things he suggested we do is look at positive ways to engage young people. The current strategy is based on research done with young people about what they need to encourage them to go to school, based on the Auditor General’s report. The research indicated that students need not punishment but positive reasons to go to school, and to work out for themselves why school is important. Ten key schools have been chosen to be part of that positive program. Mr E.S. Ripper : When do you expect attendance rates to improve? Dr E. CONSTABLE : I see attendance rates in some of those schools already improving, especially in the chosen 10. I am assured there has been a positive effect on attendance of children at those schools. A number of organisations such as the Eagles have come on board. The heroes of these young people are involved in attendance programs for those schools that have very low attendance. The question of attendance is an issue for this government and it was an issue for the former government. Sometimes they are complex questions. Mr B.S. Wyatt : Unfortunately it is getting worse under you! Dr E. CONSTABLE : It is not getting worse under us. In fact overall attendance has risen under this government.
Dr E. CONSTABLE replied: (1)–(4) Members will be aware that an attendance strategy has been put in place. We are working extremely hard to make sure that children not only attend school but also participate in years 11 and 12. I am sure members will be pleased to know that participation rates in years 11 and 12 have remained very steady in the past couple of years, at around the 92 per cent mark. We are very pleased that with the increase in the school entry age the participation rate has been maintained at that level. There are a number of pressure points that we are working on. One of them is the transition from year 7 to year 8. We know that some children at that stage, and their families, find it very difficult to make that transition. We are working on that transition to make sure that children, when they change schools, actually enrol at another school. There are some young people who take the opportunity not to enrol and we then have to chase them up at that point. There was a fall in secondary school attendance between 2000 and 2008, as I mentioned yesterday — Mr B.S. Wyatt : That is not what you mentioned yesterday. Dr E. CONSTABLE : I did mention that yesterday. Mr B.S. Wyatt interjected. Dr E. CONSTABLE : I then quoted a figure that the overall statewide attendance in government schools had slightly increased. The overall attendance I referred to was in — Mr B.S. Wyatt : You said secondary schools were declining. Dr E. CONSTABLE : I did not say secondary schools. If the member checks Hansard , he will see that I did not use the words “secondary school”. Mr B.S. Wyatt : I have it here! The SPEAKER : Member for Victoria Park, I formally call you to order for the first time today. It is not an opportunity to interject. Mr B.S. Wyatt : She asked me to check Hansard . The SPEAKER : I formally call you to order for the second time today. Dr E. CONSTABLE : A major thrust of the attendance strategy is to have — Mr B.S. Wyatt interjected. Dr E. CONSTABLE : We have identified 71 focus schools in the public school system — Several members interjected. Dr E. CONSTABLE : We have identified those 71 public schools. Also, 10 schools have been given a special program and positive reinforcements to children who attend school. Members will also remember that the Auditor General provided a report a couple of years ago on attendance. One of the things he suggested we do is look at positive ways to engage young people. The current strategy is based on research done with young people about what they need to encourage them to go to school, based on the Auditor General’s report. The research indicated that students need not punishment but positive reasons to go to school, and to work out for themselves why school is important. Ten key schools have been chosen to be part of that positive program. Mr E.S. Ripper : When do you expect attendance rates to improve? Dr E. CONSTABLE : I see attendance rates in some of those schools already improving, especially in the chosen 10. I am assured there has been a positive effect on attendance of children at those schools. A number of organisations such as the Eagles have come on board. The heroes of these young people are involved in attendance programs for those schools that have very low attendance. The question of attendance is an issue for this government and it was an issue for the former government. Sometimes they are complex questions. Mr B.S. Wyatt : Unfortunately it is getting worse under you! Dr E. CONSTABLE : It is not getting worse under us. In fact overall attendance has risen under this government.
(1)–(4) Members will be aware that an attendance strategy has been put in place. We are working extremely hard to make sure that children not only attend school but also participate in years 11 and 12. I am sure members will be pleased to know that participation rates in years 11 and 12 have remained very steady in the past couple of years, at around the 92 per cent mark. We are very pleased that with the increase in the school entry age the participation rate has been maintained at that level. There are a number of pressure points that we are working on. One of them is the transition from year 7 to year 8. We know that some children at that stage, and their families, find it very difficult to make that transition. We are working on that transition to make sure that children, when they change schools, actually enrol at another school. There are some young people who take the opportunity not to enrol and we then have to chase them up at that point. There was a fall in secondary school attendance between 2000 and 2008, as I mentioned yesterday — Mr B.S. Wyatt : That is not what you mentioned yesterday. Dr E. CONSTABLE : I did mention that yesterday. Mr B.S. Wyatt interjected. Dr E. CONSTABLE : I then quoted a figure that the overall statewide attendance in government schools had slightly increased. The overall attendance I referred to was in — Mr B.S. Wyatt : You said secondary schools were declining. Dr E. CONSTABLE : I did not say secondary schools. If the member checks Hansard , he will see that I did not use the words “secondary school”. Mr B.S. Wyatt : I have it here! The SPEAKER : Member for Victoria Park, I formally call you to order for the first time today. It is not an opportunity to interject. Mr B.S. Wyatt : She asked me to check Hansard . The SPEAKER : I formally call you to order for the second time today. Dr E. CONSTABLE : A major thrust of the attendance strategy is to have — Mr B.S. Wyatt interjected. Dr E. CONSTABLE : We have identified 71 focus schools in the public school system — Several members interjected. Dr E. CONSTABLE : We have identified those 71 public schools. Also, 10 schools have been given a special program and positive reinforcements to children who attend school. Members will also remember that the Auditor General provided a report a couple of years ago on attendance. One of the things he suggested we do is look at positive ways to engage young people. The current strategy is based on research done with young people about what they need to encourage them to go to school, based on the Auditor General’s report. The research indicated that students need not punishment but positive reasons to go to school, and to work out for themselves why school is important. Ten key schools have been chosen to be part of that positive program. Mr E.S. Ripper : When do you expect attendance rates to improve? Dr E. CONSTABLE : I see attendance rates in some of those schools already improving, especially in the chosen 10. I am assured there has been a positive effect on attendance of children at those schools. A number of organisations such as the Eagles have come on board. The heroes of these young people are involved in attendance programs for those schools that have very low attendance. The question of attendance is an issue for this government and it was an issue for the former government. Sometimes they are complex questions. Mr B.S. Wyatt : Unfortunately it is getting worse under you! Dr E. CONSTABLE : It is not getting worse under us. In fact overall attendance has risen under this government.
Dr E. CONSTABLE : I did mention that yesterday. Mr B.S. Wyatt interjected. Dr E. CONSTABLE : I then quoted a figure that the overall statewide attendance in government schools had slightly increased. The overall attendance I referred to was in — Mr B.S. Wyatt : You said secondary schools were declining. Dr E. CONSTABLE : I did not say secondary schools. If the member checks Hansard , he will see that I did not use the words “secondary school”. Mr B.S. Wyatt : I have it here! The SPEAKER : Member for Victoria Park, I formally call you to order for the first time today. It is not an opportunity to interject. Mr B.S. Wyatt : She asked me to check Hansard . The SPEAKER : I formally call you to order for the second time today. Dr E. CONSTABLE : A major thrust of the attendance strategy is to have — Mr B.S. Wyatt interjected. Dr E. CONSTABLE : We have identified 71 focus schools in the public school system — Several members interjected. Dr E. CONSTABLE : We have identified those 71 public schools. Also, 10 schools have been given a special program and positive reinforcements to children who attend school. Members will also remember that the Auditor General provided a report a couple of years ago on attendance. One of the things he suggested we do is look at positive ways to engage young people. The current strategy is based on research done with young people about what they need to encourage them to go to school, based on the Auditor General’s report. The research indicated that students need not punishment but positive reasons to go to school, and to work out for themselves why school is important. Ten key schools have been chosen to be part of that positive program. Mr E.S. Ripper : When do you expect attendance rates to improve? Dr E. CONSTABLE : I see attendance rates in some of those schools already improving, especially in the chosen 10. I am assured there has been a positive effect on attendance of children at those schools. A number of organisations such as the Eagles have come on board. The heroes of these young people are involved in attendance programs for those schools that have very low attendance. The question of attendance is an issue for this government and it was an issue for the former government. Sometimes they are complex questions. Mr B.S. Wyatt : Unfortunately it is getting worse under you! Dr E. CONSTABLE : It is not getting worse under us. In fact overall attendance has risen under this government.
Mr B.S. Wyatt interjected. Dr E. CONSTABLE : I then quoted a figure that the overall statewide attendance in government schools had slightly increased. The overall attendance I referred to was in — Mr B.S. Wyatt : You said secondary schools were declining. Dr E. CONSTABLE : I did not say secondary schools. If the member checks Hansard , he will see that I did not use the words “secondary school”. Mr B.S. Wyatt : I have it here! The SPEAKER : Member for Victoria Park, I formally call you to order for the first time today. It is not an opportunity to interject. Mr B.S. Wyatt : She asked me to check Hansard . The SPEAKER : I formally call you to order for the second time today. Dr E. CONSTABLE : A major thrust of the attendance strategy is to have — Mr B.S. Wyatt interjected. Dr E. CONSTABLE : We have identified 71 focus schools in the public school system — Several members interjected. Dr E. CONSTABLE : We have identified those 71 public schools. Also, 10 schools have been given a special program and positive reinforcements to children who attend school. Members will also remember that the Auditor General provided a report a couple of years ago on attendance. One of the things he suggested we do is look at positive ways to engage young people. The current strategy is based on research done with young people about what they need to encourage them to go to school, based on the Auditor General’s report. The research indicated that students need not punishment but positive reasons to go to school, and to work out for themselves why school is important. Ten key schools have been chosen to be part of that positive program. Mr E.S. Ripper : When do you expect attendance rates to improve? Dr E. CONSTABLE : I see attendance rates in some of those schools already improving, especially in the chosen 10. I am assured there has been a positive effect on attendance of children at those schools. A number of organisations such as the Eagles have come on board. The heroes of these young people are involved in attendance programs for those schools that have very low attendance. The question of attendance is an issue for this government and it was an issue for the former government. Sometimes they are complex questions. Mr B.S. Wyatt : Unfortunately it is getting worse under you! Dr E. CONSTABLE : It is not getting worse under us. In fact overall attendance has risen under this government.
Dr E. CONSTABLE : I then quoted a figure that the overall statewide attendance in government schools had slightly increased. The overall attendance I referred to was in — Mr B.S. Wyatt : You said secondary schools were declining. Dr E. CONSTABLE : I did not say secondary schools. If the member checks Hansard , he will see that I did not use the words “secondary school”. Mr B.S. Wyatt : I have it here! The SPEAKER : Member for Victoria Park, I formally call you to order for the first time today. It is not an opportunity to interject. Mr B.S. Wyatt : She asked me to check Hansard . The SPEAKER : I formally call you to order for the second time today. Dr E. CONSTABLE : A major thrust of the attendance strategy is to have — Mr B.S. Wyatt interjected. Dr E. CONSTABLE : We have identified 71 focus schools in the public school system — Several members interjected. Dr E. CONSTABLE : We have identified those 71 public schools. Also, 10 schools have been given a special program and positive reinforcements to children who attend school. Members will also remember that the Auditor General provided a report a couple of years ago on attendance. One of the things he suggested we do is look at positive ways to engage young people. The current strategy is based on research done with young people about what they need to encourage them to go to school, based on the Auditor General’s report. The research indicated that students need not punishment but positive reasons to go to school, and to work out for themselves why school is important. Ten key schools have been chosen to be part of that positive program. Mr E.S. Ripper : When do you expect attendance rates to improve? Dr E. CONSTABLE : I see attendance rates in some of those schools already improving, especially in the chosen 10. I am assured there has been a positive effect on attendance of children at those schools. A number of organisations such as the Eagles have come on board. The heroes of these young people are involved in attendance programs for those schools that have very low attendance. The question of attendance is an issue for this government and it was an issue for the former government. Sometimes they are complex questions. Mr B.S. Wyatt : Unfortunately it is getting worse under you! Dr E. CONSTABLE : It is not getting worse under us. In fact overall attendance has risen under this government.
Mr B.S. Wyatt : You said secondary schools were declining. Dr E. CONSTABLE : I did not say secondary schools. If the member checks Hansard , he will see that I did not use the words “secondary school”. Mr B.S. Wyatt : I have it here! The SPEAKER : Member for Victoria Park, I formally call you to order for the first time today. It is not an opportunity to interject. Mr B.S. Wyatt : She asked me to check Hansard . The SPEAKER : I formally call you to order for the second time today. Dr E. CONSTABLE : A major thrust of the attendance strategy is to have — Mr B.S. Wyatt interjected. Dr E. CONSTABLE : We have identified 71 focus schools in the public school system — Several members interjected. Dr E. CONSTABLE : We have identified those 71 public schools. Also, 10 schools have been given a special program and positive reinforcements to children who attend school. Members will also remember that the Auditor General provided a report a couple of years ago on attendance. One of the things he suggested we do is look at positive ways to engage young people. The current strategy is based on research done with young people about what they need to encourage them to go to school, based on the Auditor General’s report. The research indicated that students need not punishment but positive reasons to go to school, and to work out for themselves why school is important. Ten key schools have been chosen to be part of that positive program. Mr E.S. Ripper : When do you expect attendance rates to improve? Dr E. CONSTABLE : I see attendance rates in some of those schools already improving, especially in the chosen 10. I am assured there has been a positive effect on attendance of children at those schools. A number of organisations such as the Eagles have come on board. The heroes of these young people are involved in attendance programs for those schools that have very low attendance. The question of attendance is an issue for this government and it was an issue for the former government. Sometimes they are complex questions. Mr B.S. Wyatt : Unfortunately it is getting worse under you! Dr E. CONSTABLE : It is not getting worse under us. In fact overall attendance has risen under this government.
Dr E. CONSTABLE : I did not say secondary schools. If the member checks Hansard , he will see that I did not use the words “secondary school”. Mr B.S. Wyatt : I have it here! The SPEAKER : Member for Victoria Park, I formally call you to order for the first time today. It is not an opportunity to interject. Mr B.S. Wyatt : She asked me to check Hansard . The SPEAKER : I formally call you to order for the second time today. Dr E. CONSTABLE : A major thrust of the attendance strategy is to have — Mr B.S. Wyatt interjected. Dr E. CONSTABLE : We have identified 71 focus schools in the public school system — Several members interjected. Dr E. CONSTABLE : We have identified those 71 public schools. Also, 10 schools have been given a special program and positive reinforcements to children who attend school. Members will also remember that the Auditor General provided a report a couple of years ago on attendance. One of the things he suggested we do is look at positive ways to engage young people. The current strategy is based on research done with young people about what they need to encourage them to go to school, based on the Auditor General’s report. The research indicated that students need not punishment but positive reasons to go to school, and to work out for themselves why school is important. Ten key schools have been chosen to be part of that positive program. Mr E.S. Ripper : When do you expect attendance rates to improve? Dr E. CONSTABLE : I see attendance rates in some of those schools already improving, especially in the chosen 10. I am assured there has been a positive effect on attendance of children at those schools. A number of organisations such as the Eagles have come on board. The heroes of these young people are involved in attendance programs for those schools that have very low attendance. The question of attendance is an issue for this government and it was an issue for the former government. Sometimes they are complex questions. Mr B.S. Wyatt : Unfortunately it is getting worse under you! Dr E. CONSTABLE : It is not getting worse under us. In fact overall attendance has risen under this government.
Mr B.S. Wyatt : I have it here! The SPEAKER : Member for Victoria Park, I formally call you to order for the first time today. It is not an opportunity to interject. Mr B.S. Wyatt : She asked me to check Hansard . The SPEAKER : I formally call you to order for the second time today. Dr E. CONSTABLE : A major thrust of the attendance strategy is to have — Mr B.S. Wyatt interjected. Dr E. CONSTABLE : We have identified 71 focus schools in the public school system — Several members interjected. Dr E. CONSTABLE : We have identified those 71 public schools. Also, 10 schools have been given a special program and positive reinforcements to children who attend school. Members will also remember that the Auditor General provided a report a couple of years ago on attendance. One of the things he suggested we do is look at positive ways to engage young people. The current strategy is based on research done with young people about what they need to encourage them to go to school, based on the Auditor General’s report. The research indicated that students need not punishment but positive reasons to go to school, and to work out for themselves why school is important. Ten key schools have been chosen to be part of that positive program. Mr E.S. Ripper : When do you expect attendance rates to improve? Dr E. CONSTABLE : I see attendance rates in some of those schools already improving, especially in the chosen 10. I am assured there has been a positive effect on attendance of children at those schools. A number of organisations such as the Eagles have come on board. The heroes of these young people are involved in attendance programs for those schools that have very low attendance. The question of attendance is an issue for this government and it was an issue for the former government. Sometimes they are complex questions. Mr B.S. Wyatt : Unfortunately it is getting worse under you! Dr E. CONSTABLE : It is not getting worse under us. In fact overall attendance has risen under this government.
The SPEAKER : Member for Victoria Park, I formally call you to order for the first time today. It is not an opportunity to interject. Mr B.S. Wyatt : She asked me to check Hansard . The SPEAKER : I formally call you to order for the second time today. Dr E. CONSTABLE : A major thrust of the attendance strategy is to have — Mr B.S. Wyatt interjected. Dr E. CONSTABLE : We have identified 71 focus schools in the public school system — Several members interjected. Dr E. CONSTABLE : We have identified those 71 public schools. Also, 10 schools have been given a special program and positive reinforcements to children who attend school. Members will also remember that the Auditor General provided a report a couple of years ago on attendance. One of the things he suggested we do is look at positive ways to engage young people. The current strategy is based on research done with young people about what they need to encourage them to go to school, based on the Auditor General’s report. The research indicated that students need not punishment but positive reasons to go to school, and to work out for themselves why school is important. Ten key schools have been chosen to be part of that positive program. Mr E.S. Ripper : When do you expect attendance rates to improve? Dr E. CONSTABLE : I see attendance rates in some of those schools already improving, especially in the chosen 10. I am assured there has been a positive effect on attendance of children at those schools. A number of organisations such as the Eagles have come on board. The heroes of these young people are involved in attendance programs for those schools that have very low attendance. The question of attendance is an issue for this government and it was an issue for the former government. Sometimes they are complex questions. Mr B.S. Wyatt : Unfortunately it is getting worse under you! Dr E. CONSTABLE : It is not getting worse under us. In fact overall attendance has risen under this government.
Mr B.S. Wyatt : She asked me to check Hansard . The SPEAKER : I formally call you to order for the second time today. Dr E. CONSTABLE : A major thrust of the attendance strategy is to have — Mr B.S. Wyatt interjected. Dr E. CONSTABLE : We have identified 71 focus schools in the public school system — Several members interjected. Dr E. CONSTABLE : We have identified those 71 public schools. Also, 10 schools have been given a special program and positive reinforcements to children who attend school. Members will also remember that the Auditor General provided a report a couple of years ago on attendance. One of the things he suggested we do is look at positive ways to engage young people. The current strategy is based on research done with young people about what they need to encourage them to go to school, based on the Auditor General’s report. The research indicated that students need not punishment but positive reasons to go to school, and to work out for themselves why school is important. Ten key schools have been chosen to be part of that positive program. Mr E.S. Ripper : When do you expect attendance rates to improve? Dr E. CONSTABLE : I see attendance rates in some of those schools already improving, especially in the chosen 10. I am assured there has been a positive effect on attendance of children at those schools. A number of organisations such as the Eagles have come on board. The heroes of these young people are involved in attendance programs for those schools that have very low attendance. The question of attendance is an issue for this government and it was an issue for the former government. Sometimes they are complex questions. Mr B.S. Wyatt : Unfortunately it is getting worse under you! Dr E. CONSTABLE : It is not getting worse under us. In fact overall attendance has risen under this government.
The SPEAKER : I formally call you to order for the second time today. Dr E. CONSTABLE : A major thrust of the attendance strategy is to have — Mr B.S. Wyatt interjected. Dr E. CONSTABLE : We have identified 71 focus schools in the public school system — Several members interjected. Dr E. CONSTABLE : We have identified those 71 public schools. Also, 10 schools have been given a special program and positive reinforcements to children who attend school. Members will also remember that the Auditor General provided a report a couple of years ago on attendance. One of the things he suggested we do is look at positive ways to engage young people. The current strategy is based on research done with young people about what they need to encourage them to go to school, based on the Auditor General’s report. The research indicated that students need not punishment but positive reasons to go to school, and to work out for themselves why school is important. Ten key schools have been chosen to be part of that positive program. Mr E.S. Ripper : When do you expect attendance rates to improve? Dr E. CONSTABLE : I see attendance rates in some of those schools already improving, especially in the chosen 10. I am assured there has been a positive effect on attendance of children at those schools. A number of organisations such as the Eagles have come on board. The heroes of these young people are involved in attendance programs for those schools that have very low attendance. The question of attendance is an issue for this government and it was an issue for the former government. Sometimes they are complex questions. Mr B.S. Wyatt : Unfortunately it is getting worse under you! Dr E. CONSTABLE : It is not getting worse under us. In fact overall attendance has risen under this government.
Dr E. CONSTABLE : A major thrust of the attendance strategy is to have — Mr B.S. Wyatt interjected. Dr E. CONSTABLE : We have identified 71 focus schools in the public school system — Several members interjected. Dr E. CONSTABLE : We have identified those 71 public schools. Also, 10 schools have been given a special program and positive reinforcements to children who attend school. Members will also remember that the Auditor General provided a report a couple of years ago on attendance. One of the things he suggested we do is look at positive ways to engage young people. The current strategy is based on research done with young people about what they need to encourage them to go to school, based on the Auditor General’s report. The research indicated that students need not punishment but positive reasons to go to school, and to work out for themselves why school is important. Ten key schools have been chosen to be part of that positive program. Mr E.S. Ripper : When do you expect attendance rates to improve? Dr E. CONSTABLE : I see attendance rates in some of those schools already improving, especially in the chosen 10. I am assured there has been a positive effect on attendance of children at those schools. A number of organisations such as the Eagles have come on board. The heroes of these young people are involved in attendance programs for those schools that have very low attendance. The question of attendance is an issue for this government and it was an issue for the former government. Sometimes they are complex questions. Mr B.S. Wyatt : Unfortunately it is getting worse under you! Dr E. CONSTABLE : It is not getting worse under us. In fact overall attendance has risen under this government.
Mr B.S. Wyatt interjected. Dr E. CONSTABLE : We have identified 71 focus schools in the public school system — Several members interjected. Dr E. CONSTABLE : We have identified those 71 public schools. Also, 10 schools have been given a special program and positive reinforcements to children who attend school. Members will also remember that the Auditor General provided a report a couple of years ago on attendance. One of the things he suggested we do is look at positive ways to engage young people. The current strategy is based on research done with young people about what they need to encourage them to go to school, based on the Auditor General’s report. The research indicated that students need not punishment but positive reasons to go to school, and to work out for themselves why school is important. Ten key schools have been chosen to be part of that positive program. Mr E.S. Ripper : When do you expect attendance rates to improve? Dr E. CONSTABLE : I see attendance rates in some of those schools already improving, especially in the chosen 10. I am assured there has been a positive effect on attendance of children at those schools. A number of organisations such as the Eagles have come on board. The heroes of these young people are involved in attendance programs for those schools that have very low attendance. The question of attendance is an issue for this government and it was an issue for the former government. Sometimes they are complex questions. Mr B.S. Wyatt : Unfortunately it is getting worse under you! Dr E. CONSTABLE : It is not getting worse under us. In fact overall attendance has risen under this government.
Dr E. CONSTABLE : We have identified 71 focus schools in the public school system — Several members interjected. Dr E. CONSTABLE : We have identified those 71 public schools. Also, 10 schools have been given a special program and positive reinforcements to children who attend school. Members will also remember that the Auditor General provided a report a couple of years ago on attendance. One of the things he suggested we do is look at positive ways to engage young people. The current strategy is based on research done with young people about what they need to encourage them to go to school, based on the Auditor General’s report. The research indicated that students need not punishment but positive reasons to go to school, and to work out for themselves why school is important. Ten key schools have been chosen to be part of that positive program. Mr E.S. Ripper : When do you expect attendance rates to improve? Dr E. CONSTABLE : I see attendance rates in some of those schools already improving, especially in the chosen 10. I am assured there has been a positive effect on attendance of children at those schools. A number of organisations such as the Eagles have come on board. The heroes of these young people are involved in attendance programs for those schools that have very low attendance. The question of attendance is an issue for this government and it was an issue for the former government. Sometimes they are complex questions. Mr B.S. Wyatt : Unfortunately it is getting worse under you! Dr E. CONSTABLE : It is not getting worse under us. In fact overall attendance has risen under this government.
Several members interjected. Dr E. CONSTABLE : We have identified those 71 public schools. Also, 10 schools have been given a special program and positive reinforcements to children who attend school. Members will also remember that the Auditor General provided a report a couple of years ago on attendance. One of the things he suggested we do is look at positive ways to engage young people. The current strategy is based on research done with young people about what they need to encourage them to go to school, based on the Auditor General’s report. The research indicated that students need not punishment but positive reasons to go to school, and to work out for themselves why school is important. Ten key schools have been chosen to be part of that positive program. Mr E.S. Ripper : When do you expect attendance rates to improve? Dr E. CONSTABLE : I see attendance rates in some of those schools already improving, especially in the chosen 10. I am assured there has been a positive effect on attendance of children at those schools. A number of organisations such as the Eagles have come on board. The heroes of these young people are involved in attendance programs for those schools that have very low attendance. The question of attendance is an issue for this government and it was an issue for the former government. Sometimes they are complex questions. Mr B.S. Wyatt : Unfortunately it is getting worse under you! Dr E. CONSTABLE : It is not getting worse under us. In fact overall attendance has risen under this government.
Dr E. CONSTABLE : We have identified those 71 public schools. Also, 10 schools have been given a special program and positive reinforcements to children who attend school. Members will also remember that the Auditor General provided a report a couple of years ago on attendance. One of the things he suggested we do is look at positive ways to engage young people. The current strategy is based on research done with young people about what they need to encourage them to go to school, based on the Auditor General’s report. The research indicated that students need not punishment but positive reasons to go to school, and to work out for themselves why school is important. Ten key schools have been chosen to be part of that positive program. Mr E.S. Ripper : When do you expect attendance rates to improve? Dr E. CONSTABLE : I see attendance rates in some of those schools already improving, especially in the chosen 10. I am assured there has been a positive effect on attendance of children at those schools. A number of organisations such as the Eagles have come on board. The heroes of these young people are involved in attendance programs for those schools that have very low attendance. The question of attendance is an issue for this government and it was an issue for the former government. Sometimes they are complex questions. Mr B.S. Wyatt : Unfortunately it is getting worse under you! Dr E. CONSTABLE : It is not getting worse under us. In fact overall attendance has risen under this government.
Mr E.S. Ripper : When do you expect attendance rates to improve? Dr E. CONSTABLE : I see attendance rates in some of those schools already improving, especially in the chosen 10. I am assured there has been a positive effect on attendance of children at those schools. A number of organisations such as the Eagles have come on board. The heroes of these young people are involved in attendance programs for those schools that have very low attendance. The question of attendance is an issue for this government and it was an issue for the former government. Sometimes they are complex questions. Mr B.S. Wyatt : Unfortunately it is getting worse under you! Dr E. CONSTABLE : It is not getting worse under us. In fact overall attendance has risen under this government.
Dr E. CONSTABLE : I see attendance rates in some of those schools already improving, especially in the chosen 10. I am assured there has been a positive effect on attendance of children at those schools. A number of organisations such as the Eagles have come on board. The heroes of these young people are involved in attendance programs for those schools that have very low attendance. The question of attendance is an issue for this government and it was an issue for the former government. Sometimes they are complex questions. Mr B.S. Wyatt : Unfortunately it is getting worse under you! Dr E. CONSTABLE : It is not getting worse under us. In fact overall attendance has risen under this government.
Mr B.S. Wyatt : Unfortunately it is getting worse under you! Dr E. CONSTABLE : It is not getting worse under us. In fact overall attendance has risen under this government.
Dr E. CONSTABLE : It is not getting worse under us. In fact overall attendance has risen under this government.
Explore WA Government Data
Search the full archive in the free dashboard, or query programmatically via API.
Explore more
Government Gazette
Appointments, regulatory notices, planning changes.
Hansard
Debates, questions, speeches and sentiment.
Tabled Papers
Reports and documents tabled in Parliament.
Committees
Committee profiles and recent reports.
Regulations
Subsidiary legislation with filters and summaries.
Bills
Proposed laws and parliamentary progress.
Acts
Current WA legislation and summaries.
Explanatory Memoranda
Bills with EMs (text/PDF) available.
Members
MP profiles, party breakdown and rankings.
Pollie Rankings
Data-driven rankings across 19 categories.
Amendment Chains
Track how schemes and regulations evolve over time.