Staffing under the Improving Literacy and Numeracy National Partnership

1. Staffing under the Improving Literacy and Numeracy National Partnership

2. Background The Improving Literacy and Numeracy National Partnership aims to achieve the following outcomes: improved student performance in target groups (including students from disadvantaged backgrounds and Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander students) in literacy and/or numeracy in participating schools; effective identification of areas in participating schools where support is needed and where improvement has occurred, through monitoring and analysis of literacy and numeracy performance; and improved capability and effectiveness of literacy and/or numeracy teaching in participating schools.

3. Resources – tied grant The schoolsinvolved in the Improving Literacy and Numeracy National Partnership have been provided with additional resources in the form of a tied grant. The size of the grant is based on two factors: the size of the school and hence the number of teachers involved the proportion of students in the school in the bottom 2 bands in NAPLAN (2010 and 2011). For example, over the life of the Improving Literacy and Numeracy National Partnership, a school of 500 students with about 30% in the bottom 2 bands on NAPLAN will receive approximately $170,000 whereas one with 800 students with 45% in the bottom 2 bands will receive $320,000.

4. Using the tied grant Schools can provide feedback Website www.ilnnp.nsw.edu.au The Improving Literacy and Numeracy National Partnership tied grant can be used to provide additional professional learning in literacy or numeracy. The funds must be used in accordance with the Department’s Professional Learning Policy for Schools – Section 6.8. If schools use this grant for a casual or temporary teaching or non-teaching position, CEPS Code 306 is used.

5. Salary on costs Evaluate program Use continuum Provide data Salary on costs (including statutory requirements such as payroll tax and superannuation) apply for any employer who engages staff in NSW. They are calculated as a percentage on the base gross salary. DEC salary on costs have historically been managed centrally, and schools have not needed to consider their impact. Under National Partnerships, there is a move to increase flexibility and authority in schools and therefore revised treatment of salary on costs is being implemented.

6. Salary on costs Schools will be billed separately for the on cost component of each position charged against CEPS code 306 at the end of each term. As CEPS code 306 only accounts for the 19% on cost component applied to casual positions, schools will also be invoiced for the difference in on costs for any temporary engagements, which attract on costs of 26%. Schools will be provided with a Staff Monitoring Sheet to complete each semester detailing staff employed under temporary engagements and any higher duties allowances.

7. Salary on costs On the Staff Monitoring Sheet, schools will be asked to detail information such as the names of staff members engaged in temporary and higher duties positions, their serial number, position and step (if a classroom teacher). When the details are confirmed by schools, schools will be invoiced for the difference in on costs, and in addition, any higher duties allowances applied in the Improving Literacy and Numeracy National Partnership.

8. Salary on costs Schools employing casual and temporary staff using Improving Literacy and Numeracy National Partnership funds should take account of the on cost component when planning programs and preparing budgets. Schools will have already paid on costs of 19% through CEPS code 306 and will be invoiced for the difference after the Staff Monitoring process has been completed. NB The total amount for staff on the Salary Cost Calculator shows the total on costs due for temporary staff (26%).

9. Salary summary The first on cost of 19% will be paid through CEPS code 306, but a second on cost invoice later in the semester should be factored into calculations.

10. Calculating salary costs A Salary Cost Calculator is available to support schools in determining indicative staff costs for budgeting purposes. (www.ilnnp.nsw.edu.au)

11. Salary Cost Calculator The Salary Cost Calculator can assist schools and inform school budgeting. It can be used to determine the indicative costs of temporary teaching and non-teaching staff for a semester. The Salary Cost Calculator does not need to be completed and returned to Improving Literacy and Numeracy National Partnership. The semester 2 Salary Cost Calculator includes holiday pay until the end of January. The following slides contain examples of approximate calculations made using the Salary Cost Calculator.

12. Salary Cost Calculator Please note that due to the complexity of award conditions and allowances attracted by various positions the cost calculator will only be a guide. The reconciliation using the Staff Monitoring Sheet will be fully costed by the National Partnerships Finance support unit who will apply all award conditions to ensure that actual costs are calculated and recoupment is accurate.

13. A classroom teacher (step 13) has been employed full-time for one semester The total cost includes total on costs

15. This example shows 2 Generalist Paraprofessional Positions. One position is for 4 days per week and the other is for 2 days per week. The total includes the total on costs for both positions.

16. Higher Duties Schools should follow procedures in accordance with section 1.5 of the Teachers Handbook when implementing higher duties allowances. In particular, refer to section 1.5.2.7 for guidelines for selection of staff to relieve in higher positions. Remuneration via way of higher duties allowance comes with certain conditions, such as the rate of payment for leave in excess of 5 days and the rate of payment applicable for school vacations. Please refer to section 1.5.2.5 of the Teachers Handbook for further information.

17. Higher Duties The Higher Duties Allowance form is available from the Human Resources website. Where a permanent teacher is released to take up a temporary executive position, the position should be filled using higher duties allowance arrangements. A temporary teacher can be engaged to backfill the permanent teacher who has been released. Schools should refer to existing guidelines around temporary teacher engagements for further information.

18. Higher Duties The payment of higher duties allowances cannot be billed to a CEPS code. Schools will be provided with a Staff Monitoring Sheet to complete for each semester, detailing staff employed under temporary engagements and any higher duties allowances. Upon confirmation of the anticipated costs of staffing based on the details in the staff monitoring sheet, schools will be invoiced for any higher duties allowances and for the additional on costs for temporary engagements.

19. Higher Duties Allowances The following slides demonstrate a method of calculating approximate higher duties allowances using the Salary Cost Calculator.

22. Contacts Peter Lorking Assistant Director Literacy and Numeracy 9266 8270 Peter.lorking@det.nsw.edu.au Helen Evans Principal Education Officer Improving Literacy and Numeracy National Partnership 9244 5387 Helen.m.evans@det.nsw.edu.au