Student Progression Policy

1. Purpose

To support all students to succeed and identify and to manage students at risk of not completing their course of study.

2. Scope

Where this policy refers to CIT, it includes CIT Solutions.

This policy applies to:

• all nationally recognised training on Canberra Institute of Technology (CIT) scope of registration
• all students enrolled on any nationally recognised training on the CIT scope of registration
• all aspects of academic performance, including attendance, assessment, and course progression.

This policy does not apply to:

• student behaviour (including academic integrity) which is addressed in the Student Conduct Policy and Academic Integrity and Misconduct Policy
• delivery or attendance of students enrolled in the post-school senior secondary program - attendance and progression for these cohorts is governed by the ACT Board of Senior Secondary Studies policy framework
• students enrolled in non-accredited courses or CIT higher education courses
• international students.

Refer: International Students on Student Visas compliance with the ESOS Act Policy

This policy must be read in conjunction with legislative and regulatory requirements listed below.

In the event of any conflict, external regulations take precedence over this policy and procedure.

3. Principles

CIT believes in each student's potential to succeed and is committed to supporting students to complete their programs of study.

Evidence of participation and progression is interlinked; both demonstrate a duty of care to students and require frequent monitoring to be effectively managed.

To achieve this CIT will:

• provide a learning environment that assists students to reach their learning goals
• communicate this policy and document support options
• regularly monitor and review each student’s progress and ensure students are given clear and timely advice and information about progression
• identify where an intervention is needed to guide progression
• provide students measured and appropriate support
• treat students impartially and equitably during all stages of a student progression review process
• negotiate student progression and completion plans as a catalyst for progression
• ensure parent/guardian involvement in cases where student progression reviews are undertaken for students under the age of 18 years
• in the case of Australian Apprentices:
• invite the employer to attend any student progression review session
• enable Apprenticeship Support Officers to be involved in student progression review at the invitation of staff, students or employers
• prioritise monitoring of student progression by:
• monitoring of participation and progression by educators
• discussing progression as a standing agenda item for department meetings
• conversations initiated by the Head of Department with educators to discuss emerging progression issues.

3.1 Student at risk indicators

3.1.1 Attendance and participation

Evidence that a student is at risk of non-completion might include:

• absence for an entire session on three consecutive occasions without an acceptable explanation
• absence or late arrival on the first day of class without an acceptable explanation
• absence from required structured workplace learning
• emerging patterns of late arrival/early departure.

3.1.2 Assessment-related

Evidence that a student is at risk of non-completion might include:

• not completing two assessment tasks by a given due date or within the set time frame (where a formal extension has not been granted)
• submitting one or more incomplete assessment tasks
• requiring resubmits for two consecutive assessment tasks for.

3.1.3 Academic, wellbeing or related to living with a disability

Evidence that a student is at risk of non-completion might include:

• student appearing to lack the digital literacy to complete the course
• student identifying an issue directly to the teaching or support team
• student appearing to need wellbeing or welfare support
• student struggling to understand training content or assessment requirements, possibly indicating potential disability
• progression and/or attendance are being negatively impacted by emerging financial issues (payment plans or new job to support family) that CIT may be able to mitigate.

3.2 Responsibilities

3.2.1 College Director

The College Director is responsible for:

• ensuring monitoring of student progression
• supporting Heads of Department to implement this policy and Student Progression Procedure
• liaising with Student Support where intervention is needed to guide progression
• reporting emerging trends and themes in student progression and intervention strategies to Academic Council.

3.2.2 Heads of Department

The Head of Department is responsible for:

• adding student progression as an agenda item to staff meetings
• initiating conversations with educators to discuss emerging progression issues
• actively supporting educators implementing Student Progression and Completion Plans
• endorsing the actions negotiated and sign-off Student Progression and Completion Plans
• notifying and briefing Student Support where there is evidence of progression is being impacted wellbeing or disability related factors
• ensuring employers of Australian Apprentices are notified and briefed on any discussion with the student regarding progression and completion
• notifying and briefing parents/guardians of students under the age of 18 on any discussion with the student regarding progression and completion.

3.2.3 Educators

Educators are responsible for:

• using professional judgement in reaching out to students as soon as a student shows signs of struggling to progress or is becoming disengaged
• monitoring evidence of Student at Risk indicators (see Student Progression Procedure) and initiating verbal or written outreach to students where Student at Risk indicators are observed or documented for a student
• maintaining a record of outreach to students demonstrating Student at Risk behaviours
• sharing observations at department team meetings to develop strategies to support individual students or cohorts of students.
• notifying and briefing the employer of an apprentice or trainer on any discussion with the student regarding progression and completion
• developing a Student Progression and Completion Plan (see Student Progression Procedure) in conjunction with the student and monitoring progression against key milestones.

4. Documentation

4.1 Related Legislation/Regulation

• ACT Standards Compliance Guide for Australian Apprentices
• NSW Smart and Skilled Operating Guidelines
• Standards for Registered Training Organisations 2015

4.2 Related Policy and Procedures

• Academic Integrity and Misconduct Policy
• Assessment Policy
• International Students on Student Visas compliance with the ESOS Act Policy
• Student and Community Members Complaint Policy

4.3 Related Documents

• Student Progression and Completion Plan

5. Definitions

All terminology used in this policy is consistent with definitions in the CIT Definitions of Terms.

6. Policy Contact Officer

Executive Director, Education Futures and Students.

Contact CIT Student Services on (02) 6207 3188 or email infoline@cit.edu.au for further information.

7. Procedures

This policy is implemented through the associated procedures. Authority to make changes to the procedures rests with the policy owner.