QTAD Q&A

Are there any guidelines regarding the storage of developing performance plans?

The storage of developing performance plans (DPP) is a local school-based decision, to be determined by the local consultative committee (LCC). It is appropriate for the parties who are signatories to the DPP to keep a copy for their records.

For more information, read the QTU fact sheet – “Annual Teacher Performance Review (ATPR) process”, available at www.qtu.asn.au/fsatpr

My partner and I are expecting our first child. What leave am I entitled to as the spouse?

Spouses include former and de facto spouses, including those in same sex relationships. DET employees who meet eligibility requirements are able to access up to five hours of pre-natal leave (with documentation) and up to five days of paid spousal leave (which can be taken at half pay over two weeks). Spousal leave is to be taken in conjunction with the birth of the child, i.e. immediately after the birth of the child or when the mother and child come home from hospital. It may not always be available if the period falls within the summer vacation period. A medical certificate confirming the expected date of confinement should be supplied with your application for leave form.

For more information, read the QTU information brochures “Parental leave” and “Parental leave frequently asked questions”, available at www.qtu.asn.au/briparentalleave and www.qtu.asn.au/briparentalleavefaq

What are the departmental requirements to report to parents?

The Education General Provisions Act (2006) and DET policy requires that a parent is given the opportunity, at least twice a year, to discuss the child’s educational performance at the school with the child’s teachers. One of these opportunities may be in the form of a parent/teacher interview evening where interviews are conducted face-to-face. Some schools offer indications of student achievement in certain subjects at a subject/year level information evening.

These meetings should be scheduled with sufficient notice and fit in with the timetables, work-life balance and parenting or other caring responsibilities of teachers. Most schools establish a designated night for parent/teacher interviews which assists teachers in maintaining an effective work/life balance, as well as meeting the reporting requirements of schools.

As these events are most often held outside of rostered duty time, attendance cannot be made compulsory. However, it is not unreasonable of a school to request that teachers arrange alternate times for parents to discuss their child’s educational performance. For example, parent/teacher interviews may be conducted by telephone.

The QTU advises that schools should determine the operation of parent/teacher interviews in consultation with staff and the most appropriate avenue for this is through the LCC at your school. For more information, visit “P-12 Curriculum, assessment and reporting framework accompanying policy statement – Reporting to Parents” at http://education.qld.gov.au/curriculum/framework/p-12/docs/policy-reporting.doc

Queensland Teachers' Journal, Vol 120 No 6, 21 August 2015, p28