Student Support
WHAT IS THE NCCD?
The Nationally Consistent Collection of Data on School Students with Disability (NCCD) takes place every year.
The NCCD is a collection that counts:
- The number of school students receiving an adjustment or ‘help’ due to disability
- The level of adjustment they are receiving to access education on the same basis as other students.
Students are counted in the NCCD if they receive ongoing adjustments at school due to disability. This ‘help’ allows them to access education on the same basis as a child without disability. The NCCD uses the definition of disability in the Disability Discrimination Act 1992. Schools provide this information to education authorities.
WHY IS THIS DATA BEING COLLECTED?
All schools in Australia must collect information about students with disability.
The NCCD:
- Ensures that the information collected is transparent, consistent and reliable
- Provides better information that improves understanding of students with disability
- Allows parents, guardians, carers, teachers, principals, education authorities and government to better support students with disability.
WHO IS INCLUDED IN THE NCCD?
The definition of disability for the NCCD is based on the broad definition under the Disability Discrimination Act 1992.
The following students are examples of those who may be included in the NCCD if they need monitoring and adjustments:
- students with learning difficulties (such as dyslexia)
- students with chronic health conditions (such as epilepsy or diabetes).
WHO COLLECTS INFORMATION FOR THE NCCD?
Schools identify which students will be counted in the NCCD. They base their decisions on the following:
- Adjustments provided for the student (after consultation with the student and/or their parents, guardians and carers)
- The school team’s observations and professional judgements
- Any medical or other professional diagnoses
- Other relevant information. School principals must ensure that information for the NCCD is accurate.
WHAT ARE THE BENEFITS OF THE NCCD FOR STUDENTS?
The information collected by the NCCD helps teachers, principals, education authorities and governments to better support students with disability at school. The NCCD encourages schools to review their learning and support systems and processes. This helps schools to continually improve education outcomes for all students.
WHEN DOES THE NCCD TAKE PLACE?
The NCCD takes place in August each year.
IS THE NCCD COMPULSORY?
Yes. All schools must collect and submit information each year for the NCCD. This is detailed in the Australian Education Regulation 2013. For more information, ask your school principal or the relevant education authority.
For further information see the Facts sheet provided with this newsletter.
Mrs Annette Murdoch
Learning Support Teacher