Early Intervention

The Academic Progress Policy, found in Part 6 of the Gold Book, sets out University policy and practice relating to Early Intervention for candidates identified as at risk of not making satisfactory progress. Candidates are identified either formally or informally as being at risk by their Faculty. Candidates are formally identified if they are assessed as marginally satisfactory (overall assessment of 2 on the scale of 1 to 5) or unsatisfactory (overall assessment of 1 on the scale of 1 to 5) for a Progress Update Report or Annual Progress Report. The Early Intervention Strategy can also be activated informally for candidates identified as at risk of unsatisfactory progress for such indicators as; failure to submit drafts as arranged, overdue milestones or a general failure to meet the conditions of confirmation of candidature.

Alternatively a candidate can self identify as at risk if they have concerns about their own progress.

Early Intervention is designed to assist a candidate to improve areas of weakness and is not a punitive process. It is not recorded on a candidate’s Academic Transcript. The process is designed to avoid weaknesses growing into major problems later in candidature. This process involves the candidate and their panel chair mapping out a course of action for the student to follow that addresses the identified areas of weakness. Within 6 months of undertaking this course of action the student reports back to their Faculty on their progress using a Special Progress Report. This report is then assessed to see if the candidate has addressed the identified weaknesses.

Below are attachments to templates that supervisors and candidates can use to create and monitor an effective course of action that addresses the unsatisfactory academic progress.

For further information please refer to the Academic Progress Policy, found in Part 6 of the Gold Book: http://www.canberra.edu.au/research-students/goldbook