NZQA response to issues facing schools and student assessment as a result of the Christchurch earthquake

05 Apr 2011

We have developed a range of options and taken time to get feedback from affected schools to make sure we are implementing the most effective solution.

Our key goal is to minimise disadvantage to students as a result of the earthquake. We need to ensure that any measure we implement is workable for schools, fair to all students and maintains the credibility of the NCEA.

NZQA has developed a package of initiatives, which will be implemented immediately to help schools and students affected by the Christchurch earthquake.  

A helpdesk has been established to provide consistent advice and support for schools and to provide information for parents and teachers. NZQA’s website will also provide regular updates.

It is expected the following initiatives will address concerns schools might have around the achievement of qualifications, University Entrance, and course endorsement, particularly at Level 3.

Initiatives being implemented by NZQA

1) NZQA will provide schools with advice and guidance on programme planning. This will include reducing the assessment load to a manageable level without compromising curriculum and programme integrity, and the students’ ability to gain qualifications. Students can be assessed against fewer credits than may have been planned for in a normal school year, and still meet the requirements for NCEA. Decisions about assessment load are best taken by teachers and students based on their particular circumstances.

2) For external assessment, (mainly examinations) a separate “derived” grade process will be established based on the procedures used successfully for Christchurch students after the September 2010 earthquake. The process will allow teachers to provide an estimate of the grade a student would have received for their external assessment under normal circumstances. This grade will only be awarded where appropriate supporting evidence for a student is made available by the school. Student results notices and the Record of Achievement will record the awarded grade as normal.

3) A simplified process for collecting evidence for internal assessment will be established. This will take the form of a template which teachers can use to identify evidence of achievement for the purpose of awarding standards. This process will save valuable teaching and learning time by reducing the need for formal assessment. NZQA will also allow additional internal assessment time for affected schools until the end of February 2012, and accept these results towards 2011 qualifications.

4)  NZQA will also develop a special credit inclusion appeal process. School leavers, who have narrowly missed achieving their Level 3 NCEA and/or University Entrance, could apply for this if their situation appears not to have been satisfactorily addressed in other ways.

5) NZQA will continue to discuss with universities, and other tertiary providers, issues around entrance requirement, and advise them of how NZQA intends to manage results, derived grades, and other data.

6) NZQA will suspend External Moderation for Christchurch schools for 2011, but it will remain available to these schools should they choose to submit material for moderation. This means that teachers  will not be required to send samples of student work to NZQA for checking, and is likely to reduce teachers’ administrative workload significantly.  

7) NZQA will undertake Managing National Assessment (MNA) reviews for 2011, only if manageable by the school; otherwise, they will be rescheduled for 2012. For schools scheduled for a report this is likely to reduce administrative requirements for schools.

8) NZQA will waive the verification process for Level 1 and Level 2 Visual Arts for affected schools.

9) NZQA will extend the submission date for portfolio-based externally assessed standards in subjects such as Technology and Graphics.

10) Schools will be given additional assistance with managing an expected increase in applications for Financial Assistance for fees in 2011.

11) NZQA School Relationship Managers will maintain regular communication and on-the-ground contact with schools.  This will allow NZQA to have an ongoing feel for the situation in Christchurch, and provide more personal support for school personnel.    

12) NZQA will develop a course endorsement earthquake exemption. For 2011 NZQA will:

• Maintain the requirement to gain 14 credits at Merit or Excellence to be awarded course endorsement
• Relax the requirement that three of these credits be from internally assessed standards and three be from externally assessed standards
• Make this exemption available to all students enrolled in earthquake affected Christchurch schools on the 22 February 2011 or subsequently enrolled in those schools until 1 September 2011.

Students who left Christchurch after the earthquake can apply for the exemption provided their application is supported by their new school.