Request for Clarification on Data Usage and Privacy in Report "Left Behind: How do we get our chronically absent students back to school?"
Nina Noval made this Official Information request to Education Review Office
The request was successful.
From: Nina Noval
Dear Education Review Office,
I am writing regarding your recent report on chronic school absences, titled "Left Behind: How do we get our chronically absent students back to school?" released on 30 October 2024. The report makes several references to links between students’ attendance data and information held by other agencies. I would appreciate clarification on the methodology, data sources, and privacy measures associated with these findings.
The report notes that chronically absent students are:
“Four times as likely to have a recent history of offending,” with 4 percent of chronically absent students having such a history, compared to less than 1 percent of all students. Could you clarify how this link was established? Specifically:
What data from schools was used to link students to their offending history?
Which agency provided the “history of offending” information, and what specific data points did it contain?
How were individual students identified and matched across datasets for attendance and offending history?
What measures were in place to ensure students’ privacy in this data linkage?
Under what authority did the ERO access this data?
“Four times as likely to live in social housing,” with 12 percent of chronically absent students living in social housing, compared to 3 percent of all students. Could you explain how this data link was determined? Specifically:
What data was used to connect attendance information to students' social housing status?
Which agencies were involved in sharing this information?
What specific data about social housing was provided to ERO?
“At age 23, young adults who were chronically absent cost $4,000 more than other young people,” with particular costs noted in corrections, hospital admissions, and receiving benefits. Could you specify:
What data was used to link student attendance information with hospital admissions, corrections, and benefit receipt data?
What specific data points were shared to determine the cost differences?
Which agencies were involved, and what data was exchanged?
How was privacy maintained in the data-sharing process for these individuals?
Additionally, were students or their caregivers informed and asked to provide consent before any of this data was shared across agencies for the purposes of this report?
Thank you for your attention to these questions. I look forward to your response.
Regards,
N Noval
From: Ministerials
Education Review Office
Dear Nina
Official information request regarding data usage and privacy in ERO
attendance report
Please find attached a letter regarding your Official Information Act
request of 30 October 2024.
Yours sincerely,
Governance and Accountability Team
Governance and Accountability
Education Review Office | Te Tari Arotake Matauranga
National Office | Tari Matua
Legal House Level 1, 101 Lambton Quay, Wellington 6011, New Zealand
www.ero.govt.nz
Ko te Tamaiti te Putake o te Kaupapa
The child - the heart of the matter
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that is confidential and subject to legal privilege. If you are not the
intended recipient, any use, dissemination, distribution or duplication of
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From: Ministerials
Education Review Office
Dear Nina
Official information request regarding data usage and privacy in ERO
attendance report
Please find attached a letter regarding your Official Information Act
request of 30 October 2024.
Yours sincerely,
Governance and Accountability Team
Governance and Accountability
Education Review Office | Te Tari Arotake Matauranga
National Office | Tari Matua
Legal House Level 1, 101 Lambton Quay, Wellington 6011, New Zealand
www.ero.govt.nz
Ko te Tamaiti te Putake o te Kaupapa
The child - the heart of the matter
--------------- This email and any attachments may contain information
that is confidential and subject to legal privilege. If you are not the
intended recipient, any use, dissemination, distribution or duplication of
this email and attachments is prohibited. If you have received this email
in error please notify the author immediately and erase all copies of the
email and attachments. ---------------
From: info (SIA)
Kia ora Nina
We have decided to extend the due date of your request under section
15A(1)(b) of the OIA because the consultations necessary to make a
decision on the request.
Please find attached your extension letter.
Ngā mihi,
Ministerial Services
117 Lambton Quay - Level 3- Wellington | [1]sia.govt.nz
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confidential and/or subject to legal privilege. If you are not the
intended recipient, any use, dissemination, or duplication of this email
and attachments is prohibited. If you have received this email in error
please notify the author immediately and erase all copies of the email and
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or attachments. Any views expressed in this email may be those of the
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Investment Agency.
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From: Kirsty Anderson
IN-CONFIDENCE
IN-CONFIDENCE
Kia ora
Please find attached a response to the OIA request from Nina Noval.
Kind regards
Kirsty Anderson
Kirsty Anderson
Manager, Office of the Chief Executive
[1][email address] | 029 9213404 | 117 Lambton Quay - Level 3
| [2]sia.govt.nz
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This email and any attachments may contain information that is
confidential and/or subject to legal privilege. If you are not the
intended recipient, any use, dissemination, or duplication of this email
and attachments is prohibited. If you have received this email in error
please notify the author immediately and erase all copies of the email and
attachments. The Social Investment Agency accepts no responsibility for
changes made to this message or attachments after transmission from the
Agency. The Social Investment Agency accepts no responsibility for any
improper or unauthorised use, dissemination, or duplication of the message
or attachments. Any views expressed in this email may be those of the
individual sender and may not necessarily reflect the views of the Social
Investment Agency.
References
Visible links
1. mailto:[email address]
2. http://www.sia.govt.nz/
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