NCEA Update

Issue 2
- 30 Sep 2011

 

Issue 2 – September 2011

Extension of expiry date of level 1 Core Science, Chemistry, Physics, Biology and Earth Science unit standards

A decision has been made to extend the expiry date of the 18000 series and 21611 and 21612 level 1 Science unit standards for one year. These standards will now expire on 31 December 2012.

A circular has been distributed to all Principals, Principal’s Nominees, HODs of Science and Science teachers.

View the circular.

University Entrance requirement update

The NZQA Board has agreed that the list of approved subjects for university entrance (UE) will consist of subjects derived from the New Zealand Curriculum with achievement standards at Level 3. As a result the list is being updated from 2012 to apply to the current UE requirement.

View the University Entrance requirement update.

NZQA initiatives for Christchurch students affected by the earthquakes

A press release was delivered by NZQA on 26 August outlining the initiatives for Canterbury schools. This was distributed to all schools. Initiatives include:

• Establishing a separate Earthquake Impaired Derived Grade process
• Developing a special credit inclusion appeal process
• Relaxing requirements for course endorsement

View the NZQA press release.

Level 2 - Standards ‘Final Drafts’ published on TKI and progress on assessment activities

The Ministry of Education has released the final draft versions of the Level 2 standards and updated the draft standards matrices on the TKI website.

These versions have the watermark “Final Draft - for school planning purposes only”. They have been through quality assurance processes and are, in most cases, ready for registration in December 2011. As with all drafts, there is a possibility of changes being made, but given the level of quality assurance that has been carried out there will be no major changes.

The final drafts of these standards, and the matrices, include the registered standard number that will be used when the standards are registered in December 2011.

The assessment activities for internally assessed standards are now being reviewed by NZQA to ensure they reflect any changes in the standards and will be published by 30 November as ‘final published’ and fit-for-purpose. The sample examination papers are also being reviewed by NZQA and any necessary amendments will be made to ensure that they too reflect the standards accurately. These papers are for planning purposes only and are intended to illustrate to teachers and students what the examination papers are likely to look like.

It should be noted that the Accounting standards have had significant changes since the May 2011 versions. The draft assessment activities for Accounting are being amended and in some cases brand new resources are being written. The Ministry has removed the draft assessment activities for Accounting from TKI while these changes are being made.

Level 3 – Standards consultation now closed

The consultation on the draft Level 3 achievement standards closed on 25 September - thank you to all those who contributed.

The Ministry and NZQA will examine the responses to the consultation and aim to release updated versions of the standards by the end of February 2012.

NCEA information resources now online

In response to feedback from key stakeholders, NZQA has created and published two new resources aimed at addressing some common misconceptions around NCEA, and providing sound evidence and clear information that can be widely utilised.

NCEA ‘mythbusters’ tackle some common misconceptions and will be regularly updated. View NCEA myth-busters

12 NCEA fact sheets answer some common questions and address some central issues. View NCEA fact sheets

Date for withdrawal from internals 1 October

The entry file due 1 October 2011 is the last opportunity for schools to withdraw candidates from internally assessed standards. Once this file has been processed, schools will no longer be able to withdraw any entries for internally assessed standards although entries can still be added.

Schools are advised to contact their School Relationship Manager or Data liaison at NZQA if this is likely to be an issue.

NZQA Secondary Circulars

The following NZQA circulars have been released in August-September: 

Assessment Matters

23 Aug: Changes to literacy US 26625 to include users of NZ sign language

23 Aug: Publications to Support Technology External Assessment for 2011

SecQual

20 Sep: Derived Grade process for Visual Arts external assessment in 2011

20 Sep: School Related Qualifications

6 Sep: External moderation of Mathematics and Statistics, Level 1 - 4

6 Sep: Current University Entrance requirement update

6 Sep: Reporting Internally Assessed Entries and Results

31 Aug: Course Endorsement Details on Schools and Learner Login

30 Aug: Suggested Times for 2011 Examination Papers

30 Aug: NCEA and Scholarship 2011 Results Publication in 2012

30 Aug: Standards alignment, expired standards and reporting results

23 Aug: Payment of NZQF Fees for 2011

23 Aug: Update on the Overseas Results Notices for International Fee-paying Students

23 Aug: Revised advice for German students intending to study at German universities 

Scholarship

30 Aug: Submitting Scholarship Dance Portfolios in 2011

Alignment of Standards Timeline

TIMELINE	2011	2012	2013
Alignment of standards with NZC	Level 1 in use Level 2 planning drafts by end of May Level 2 final drafts by end of September Level 3 pre-consultation drafts by end of Feb Level 3 consultation by end of Aug/Sept	Levels 1 and 2 in use Level 3 planning drafts by end of May Level 3 final drafts by end of September	Levels 1, 2 and 3 in use
Assessment resources	Level 1 in use Level 2 drafts by end of May publish all by end of year Level 3 trial	Levels 1 and 2 in use Level 3 drafts by end of May, publish by end of year	Levels 1, 2, and 3 in use
Assessment exemplars	Level 1 in use Level 2 publish by end of year	Levels 1 and 2 in use Level 3 publish by end of year	Levels 1, 2 and 3 in use

Teaching and learning guides

Available now: Accounting; Business Studies; Learning Languages; Mathematics and Statistics; Sciences; Social Sciences; Technology; Te Reo Māori in English-medium Schools.

Under development 2011: Agriculture & Horticultural Science; Arts; Health and Physical Education; English.