Assessment Matters

Changes to the modes of assessment for level 2 Classical Studies in 2012
A2011/006 - 17 May 2011

Changes to the modes of assessment for level 2 Classical Studies in 2012

There has been a change in assessment mode of the draft level 2 Classical Studies achievement standards:

• Standard 2.3, Examine a significant event in the classical world is now internally assessed and will remain at 4 credits
• Standard 2.4, Demonstrate understanding of socio-political life in the classical world is now externally assessed and will remain at 6 credits.

Feedback from the assessment resources developers indicated that it was difficult to set valid assessments for standard 2.3 in an external examination format from year to year.  The standard is considered to be better suited to internal assessment.  A decision was made to change the assessment mode of draft standard 2.3 to internal.  A subsequent decision was then made to change the assessment mode of draft standard 2.4 to external, in order to preserve the balance of internal to external standards.

There was considerable discussion regarding the credit values of both standards and the way in which the changed mode affects the balance of credits available for external assessment and for internal assessment.  Credits are allocated on the basis of the expected time required for the teaching, learning and assessment for students to meet the standard.  Given that the outcomes of both standards have not changed, there is no expectation that the time required for teaching and learning will change. Therefore, the credit value for each standard will remain the same.

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