The ARR is based on those who are undertaking study at the Year 10 level as at August in the reference year and they may not go on to complete Year 10. The NSSC data items used to construct the ARRs are consistent andcomparable over time, and support assessment of annual change. The ARR measures change over a period of time. The numerator and denominator are sourced from different annual cycles of the NSSC, to track the same age-cohort. Given the long analysis period, student transitions, such as migration or re-entry to the school system, may have an effect on the accuracy of this calculation. In addition, the denominator is sourced from two different NSSC years due to different starting years for secondary school. For example, for the ARR from Year 7/8 to Year 10, the denominator for NSW, Victoria, Tas and ACT is sourced from NSSC 2005 (Year 7) and for Queensland, WA, SA and the NT is sourced from 2006 (Year 8). |