Assessment Matters

Visual Arts verification and marking in 2010
A2010/020 - 21 Sep 2010

This circular provides information about:

• preparation for external assessment 2010 (all levels)
• entering provisional results for levels 1 and 2
• review reports for levels 1 and 2
• entering final results for levels 1 and 2
• courier pickup for all levels
• art bags
• October mailout of required materials to schools from NZQA.

 Preparation for levels 1 and 2 verification 2010

All level 1 and level 2 information relating to the following can be found on the Visual Arts page of the NZQA website.  This includes:

• assessment specifications
• procedures and policies for verification of results for levels 1 and 2
• timeline for end-of-year verification.

Preparation for levels 3 and Scholarship assessment

All information relating to level 3 and Scholarship can be found on the Visual Arts page of the NZQA website.  This includes:

• assessment specifications
• procedures and policies for submission of portfolios and workbooks
• timeline for end-of-year marking.

Entering provisional results for levels 1 and 2

All provisional results should be entered by schools before the dispatch of portfolios to the verification venue. These provisional results must be available, online, for the start of the verification process by:

• 26 October (for level 1)
• 1 November (for level 2).

Please read the user guide found at the ‘Provisional results entry’ link in your school’s High Security area for instructions on entering provisional results for level 1 and all level 2 external standards.

Review Reports (levels 1 and 2 verification)

Review reports are written for submissions that receive significant changes to provisional results after verification.  These reports are mailed to schools shortly after the verification process. Those schools receiving review reports must use the feedback to reassess and adjust unverified portfolio final grades, where appropriate. Comments are not provided for submissions where there are few changes resulting from verification.

NZQA will monitor the final results of schools receiving review reports.

Entering final results for levels 1 and 2

The due date for schools to enter their completed final results on-line for both levels 1 and 2 is Friday, 26 November 2010.

Please read the user guide found at the ‘Final results entry’ link in your school’s High Security area on-line for instructions on entering final results for level 1 and all level 2 external standards.

Final grades for ALL candidates are confidential until candidates receive their results in January 2011.  You may not disclose any results before this time.  Failure to do so is regarded as a breach of our examination rules and appropriate action will be taken.

Courier pickup for all levels

This year, level 1 (blue) and level 2 (red) bags will be collected by New Zealand Couriers, not CourierPost.

Schools are required to have bags ready for collection, in the school office, by 10am on the following dates:

• 26 October 2010 (for level 1)
• 1 November 2010 (for level 2).

New Zealand Couriers will collect submissions between 10am and 3pm. Schools are not required to ring and order courier pickup this year. If bags are not collected by 3pm, please phone Rebecca Teng at NZQA on 04 463 3189.

Schools are required to make their own arrangements for the courier pickup and delivery of level 3 and Scholarship portfolios and workbooks. Portfolios and workbooks must be collected by the courier from schools on Wednesday, 10 November 2010.

Art bags

For levels 1 and 2 verification, schools are required to send portfolios in art bags (maximum of three bags) provided by NZQA.

Schools new to teaching levels 1 and/or 2 Visual Arts should order the required bag/s by contacting NZQA. Schools that have lost blue or red bags are required to pay a replacement cost of $90.00 per bag. Please email Holly Bennett to order art bags by Friday, 1 October.

October Mailout from NZQA

Schools will receive a mailout from NZQA by Friday, 15 October 2010.  This will contain required materials for verification and marking.  If you have not received your materials by 15 October, please contact Rebecca Teng on 04 463 3189.

Enquiries

Please refer any enquiries relating to this circular to the National Assessment Facilitator for Visual Arts.

Polly Thin-Rabb
National Assessment Facilitator
Secondary Examinations
Telephone: 04 463 3305
Fax: 04 463 3113
Email: polly.thin-rabb@nzqa.govt.nz