Diverse NSW schools

Q1. What is the proportion of students enrolled in NSW government schools who come from homes where languages other than English are spoken?  

• 1/2 of all students enrolled in NSW government schools

• 1/4 of all students enrolled in NSW government schools

• 1/3 of all students enrolled in NSW government schools

• 1/5 of all students enrolled in NSW government schools

Answer explanation

One in three of all students enrolled in NSW government schools come from homes where languages other than English are spoken. You can find out more from this website. https://education.nsw.gov.au/teaching-and-learning/curriculum/multicultural-education/culture-and-diversity

Q2. According to the Nationally Consistent Collection of Data on school students with disability (NCCD), what level of adjustment can be provided to students with disability?

• Support within quality differentiated teaching practice (QDTP)

• Supplementary support

• Substantial support

• All of these answers 

Answer explanation

For more information, check out the NCCD website. https://www.nccd.edu.au/

Q3. In 2020, what percentage of NSW school students were reported through the NCCD as students with disability requiring adjustments?

• 50% 

• 20%

• 80%

• 10%

Answer explanation

20.4% of NSW school students were receiving adjustments due to disability. https://www.acara.edu.au/reporting/national-report-on-schooling-in-australia/national-report-on-schooling-in-australia-data-portal/school-students-with-disability

Q4. The Australian Bureau of Statistics reported that in 2019, Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander students comprised 6.2% of NSW school enrolments. Is this percentage likely to be: 

• slightly lower than reported?

• slightly higher than reported?

• significantly higher than reported?

• significantly lower than reported?

Answer explanation

Data and statistics must be used with consideration and care. Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander People self-identify, and self-determine whether to do so. It is well known that there is under-reporting, particularly to agencies and authorities, including schools. The proportion of Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander students in NSW during 2019 is likely to be significantly higher than the reported 6.2%.

Q5. What is the difference between Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander students and non-Aboriginal students in Stage 5 who report that teachers have high expectations for their success?

• 12%

• 27%

• 8%

• 19%

Answer explanation

2019 Tell Them From Me survey results showed that in Stage 5 ~54% Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander students reported that their teachers had high expectations for success, compared with ~73% of non-Aboriginal students.

Q6. Nationally, what is the average weekly time spent teaching through or about Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander perspectives? 

• 1%

• 15%

• 10%

• 5%

Answer explanation

If you thought 1% was low, a 2013 study found that the time spent was less than half of one percent (~0.4%). Of a possible 1200 minutes of teaching time, an average of 5 minutes per week were spent teaching through or about Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander cultures, languages, histories, literature, identities, perspectives. [Luke, A., et al (2013) Queensland University of Technology]