The Middle Childhood Survey (MCS)
The Middle Childhood Survey (MCS) NSW-CDS Information Video What is the NSW Child Development Study (NSW-CDS)? • A longitudinal study of mental health and wellbeing in a cohort of children assessed using the Australian Early Development Index (AEDI) in 2009 • Provides important information about how children’s early experiences influence later mental health, education, and life outcomes • One of the largest studies on childhood health and wellbeing in Australia • The study includes a Middle Childhood Survey this year Who’s involved? • Led by the University of New South Wales (UNSW) in collaboration with the Universities of Newcastle, Western Australia and Canterbury (NZ) • Supported by Government partners: NSW Department of Education and Communities, NSW Ministry of Health, and NSW Department of Family and Community Services. • Run in close consultation with stakeholders representing the NSW education sectors, and parent and community groups. NSW-CDS Stakeholder reference groups Parents & Communities Schools & Teachers NSW Department of Education and Communities Association of Independent Schools of NSW Federation of Parents and Citizens Associations of NSW Catholic Education Commission NSW Council of Catholic School Parents NSW Primary Principals Association Isolated Children’s Parents’ Association NSW Parents’ Council NSW Teachers Federation Principals Australia Institute Workforce Education and Development Group Independent Education Union NSW/ACT Why is the NSW-CDS important? Including all Year 6 students in NSW in 2015 will provide us with the most representative picture ever of development through childhood We’re combining separate data sets through confidential record linkage to give us the most accurate understanding of the strengths and challenges that different children face as they grow We will follow students over time to find out what helps children grow into happy, healthy, and successful adults We have partnered with NSW Ministry of Health, Education and Communities, and Family and Community Services to ensure that knowledge from the study is used to make better decisions to support every child to reach their full potential How does it work? Three key components to the NSW Child Development Study: 1. A Record Linkage 1 study spanning birth to early childhood (age 5 years) 2. A Middle Childhood Survey (cross sectional snapshot at age 11 years) 3. A Record Linkage 2 study spanning birth to middle childhood (age 11 years) What is Record Linkage? What is the Middle Childhood Survey (MCS)? An online survey that Year 6 students in NSW will be invited to complete in class in Term 3 2015 Gives students a unique chance to provide confidential feedback on their thoughts, feelings, actions, and experiences An integral component of the NSW-CDS. Provides an important cross-sectional snapshot of the mental health and wellbeing of Australian children at a critical stage of development What does the MCS measure? Social skills Attitudes and actions Thoughts and experiences Sleep patterns Emotions and behaviours Family and community networks How will schools and communities benefit? • Will provide important information to help better understand the needs of children of this age-group • Our government partners will have access to community-level information that will help provide targeted programs and resources to meet the diverse needs of all Australian children • Aggregated summary feedback will be provided to each participating school, by diocese and by education sector on the mental health and wellbeing of their Year 6 students across each of the MCS domains What does participation involve for schools? Prior to survey administration: Principal (or authorised person) to complete school’s online Agreement or Decline to Participate form before 13 July 2015 Participating schools provided with their own secure online myMCS Portal – provides access to the MCS Administration Guide and other useful information materials. Allows teachers to manage/update student records, opt-outs & survey administration Distribute MCS Parent Information Leaflets (includes opt-out form) and manage opt-outs (written/verbal). Parents may opt out their child from the study before or after survey administration What does participation involve for schools? During survey administration: Teachers can arrange for students to complete the survey anytime during their school’s nominated 2-week period in Term 3 Students use their unique MCS-ID to log into survey (teachers can print these out from myMCS Portal) Students who usually have a support worker in the classroom may complete the survey with their assistance. An audio version of the survey will be available Provide alternative activities during class-time for those students who do not wish to participate in the MCS Provide support for students who may have concerns following survey completion. ‘Help sheets’ with information for teachers, students, and parents are available on the NSW-CDS website Middle Childhood Survey Feasibility Study (MCS-FS) • Tested procedures to ensure smooth roll-out of MCS this year • Involved 11 schools with a broad representation across: • the 3 education sectors (DEC/CEC/AIS), • socioeconomic status (higher and lower), and • areas within NSW (metropolitan and rural) • At survey close, the research team elicited teacher feedback via a series of teleconferences • Identified areas of improvement in administration procedures for the state-wide roll-out this year MCS-FS: Summary statistics Response rate: 92% (n=645) of the 701 students eligible to participate, 645 participated (310 boys; 335 girls) Completion rate: 98% of the 645 students who participated, 635 completed all 101 survey items (range in incomplete surveys: 16-94 items) Incomplete surveys (10 students): No reasons were given for these students not completing the survey (not opted-out) MCS-FS: Summary statistics Opt-outs: 7.9% (n=56) 42 parent opt-outs (written) Reasons for opt-out: Didn’t provide a reason (n=27) “I’m worried about privacy” (n=11) “I don’t have enough information” (n=5) 14 student opt-outs (8 online; 6 verbal) Reasons for opt-out: Didn’t provide a reason (n=5) “I’m worried about privacy” (n=4) “My parent/caregiver said I shouldn’t” (n=3) “I don’t have enough information” (n=2) What did teachers say about the MCS-FS? MCS Administration Feedback School Portal: user-friendly; some schools had technical difficulties MCS Administration Guide: helpful and easy to follow Students enjoyed doing the survey Student didn’t find questions distressing; amused by some of them Took 15-30 minutes for students to complete Communication with Schools Was problematic - a lot of follow-up necessary Lack of communication & sharing of information between Principals and Year 6 Teachers Communication with Parents/Caregivers Did not receive any complaints or concerns from parents Teachers appreciated being able to provide a Parent Information Leaflet and a written opt out form Mixed views on length of the leaflet Some said “too long”, others said “comprehensive and informative” MCS Administration Timeline for 2015 MCS Communication Plan 2015 Conferences and meetings in Terms 1 & 2 (2015) Include NSWCDS electronic media (e.g. our videos) on your websites Distribute NSW-CDS leaflets We need your help Include our NSWCDS articles in your journals/ magazines Follow us on social media (Facebook/Twitter) for the latest updates NSW-CDS Information Video Find out more Visit our website: http://nsw-cds.com.au Follow us on Facebook and Twitter: NSW Child Development Study NSWCDS
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