Frequently asked questions
Does NSW CER support students in secondary schools? No. NSW CER supports students in eligible NSW rural and remote primary schools.
What is the age of students we can refer? Primary schools can refer students who have been identified by the school as having difficulty with reading, and who have not responded as expected to school reading interventions. Usually, students are from Year 1 through to Year 6.
Can a parent refer a student? No. NSW CER only accepts referrals from schools.
How do I refer a student / apply for support? Principals or their delegates refer students through an online referral submitted to NSW CER. All eligible schools receive an email when the referral period opens. This email includes the online link and relevant details to be included as part of the submission.
When do referrals open? Referrals are accepted twice per year, at the start of Term 2 and Term 4.
If a school’s referral is accepted, what support will you provide to the student? NSW CER’s team of teachers, Speech Pathologists and Psychologists administer relevant assessments to assist the team in understanding the child. An indivdualised reading program is developed in collaboration with the team. The student’s school is supported to deliver the reading intervention, with training, regular guidance, collaboration and consistent communication for up to 12 months.
Will the student have to travel to receive support? Students will be allocated to one of the 4 hubs for support: Dubbo, Wagga Wagga, Manly and Westmead.
- Manly - Travel is not required for students allocated to the Manly hub. Support is provided online through the students school.
- Westmead / CDU – it is requested that families travel to the Child Development Unit, Children’s Hospital Westmead, Sydney for assessment.
- Wagga Wagga and Dubbo – families are requested to travel to these sites.
Remote (online) assessments may be available upon request for students supported by Westmead, Wagga Wagga and Dubbo.
What commitment is required from schools? The school is required to allocate school resources to support the reading intervention (a 1:1 tutor and a suitable location 4-5 times per week, 45-60 minutes) for up to 12 months. NSW CER provides all other resources and materials required for the individualised reading intervention.
How does a family support their child in NSW CER?
- NSW CER seeks relevant information from both schools and families to assist in understanding the child, and to guide assessments administered. This information may be gathered during phone calls, through questionnaires and by sharing other information such as previous assessment results.
- The family may be requested to travel to a hub for assessment. Remote assessments may be available upon request.
- NSW CER also invites families to online meetings to share updates of their child’s progress.
More questions? Email nswcer@det.nsw.edu.au