Page 4376 - Week 11 - Thursday, 25 October 2018
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(2) How many Introductory English Centres (IEC) currently operate in ACT schools and (a) where are they located, (b) what school years do they cover and (c) how are classes grouped – for example, by age, level of proficiency or other.
(3) How does a student enrol in an EALD/IEC and whose decision is it.
(4) Is transport for a student to attend an IEC or an EALD specific class funded by the ACT Government; if not, why not; if so, can the Minister provide a breakdown of (a) how much per student and (b) which IEC’s/EALD specific classes.
Ms Berry: The answer to the member’s question is as follows:
(1) All 87 Canberra Public Schools cater for the needs of English as an Additional Language/Dialect (EAL/D) students. Programs look different in each school depending upon students’ levels of need and composition of the student cohort. All school years from kindergarten to year 12 have access to EAL/D education programs.
(2) There are six Introductory English Centres (IECs).
a) IECs are located at:
i) Secondary Introductory English Centre is located at Dickson College.
ii) Belconnen Primary Introductory English Centre is located at Charnwood-Dunlop Primary School.
iii) Gungahlin Primary Introductory English Centre is located at Palmerston District Primary School.
iv) Northside Primary Introductory English Centre is located at North Ainslie Primary School.
v) Southside Primary Introductory English Centre is located at Hughes Primary School.
vi) Tuggeranong Primary Introductory English Centre is located at Wanniassa Hills Primary School.
b) The Primary IECs cover kindergarten to year 6. The Secondary IEC covers year 7 to year 12.
c) IEC classes have a teacher to student ratio of one teacher to 12 to 15 students, depending on the complexity of needs. There is no prescribed formula for grouping classes by age, grade or English language proficiency. The method for grouping classes is determined by the IEC and is context-specific with consideration given to both age and level of English language proficiency.
(3) The procedures for enrolling a student in an IEC are as follows:
a) Families receive support for enrolment procedures at the school-level. Schools may use the Translating and Interpreting service if needed. Families may also receive support from outside agencies involved in their settlement in Australia (e.g. Red Cross).
b) Students are correctly enrolled in an ACT public school, in their Priority Enrolment Area school known as the home school, prior to consideration for an IEC placement.
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