SecQual

Replacement Information and Transition Arrangements for NZ Curriculum-based Level 1 Unit and Achievement Standards
S2010/010 - 30 Mar 2010

Replacement information and proposed expiry dates

Replacement information and proposed final expiry dates for each of the NZ Curriculum-based Level 1 unit standards can be found on the "Alignment of Standards with the NZ Curriculum" page on the TKI website.

What are transition arrangements?

Transition arrangements are based on the principles that arrangements should be fair to, and minimise impact on, students, schools, other providers and standard-setting bodies when standards expire.

Secondary schools have been given initial advice regarding transition arrangements for use of existing and new standards in 2010/2011 in SecQual S2009/044 Transition Arrangement for Standards 2010/2011.

Transition arrangements are put into place to ensure that schools and other accredited providers have time to make adjustments to their programmes to take account of any expiring standards.

Transition arrangements relate to the length of time expiring standards may still be assessed against.

Transition arrangements can be in place for between one and five years, depending on the impact on other qualifications that include those standards.

Externally assessed achievement standards

Externally assessed achievement standards expire at the end of the calendar year in which they are replaced. This means that for all the current level 1 externally assessed achievement standards, there will be replacement externally assessed or internally assessed achievement standards in 2011.

Internally assessed achievement standards

Internally assessed achievement standards being replaced have a one-year transition period. This means that all the current level 1 internally assessed achievement standards can be still be used in 2011, if needed.

NZ Curriculum-derived unit standards

Wherever possible, the transition arrangements for expiring NZ Curriculum-based unit standards will match the arrangements for achievement standards from the same domain.

It is expected that the transition period for around 95 percent of the level 1 NZ curriculum-based unit standards designated as expiring will be one year, i.e. they will expire on 31 December 2011. This means that all current level 1 NZ curriculum-based unit standards can still be used in 2011, if needed.

There will be a formal communication addressing final transition arrangements, including standard-specific information, by May 2010.

Temporary exclusions list

During the transition period, a temporary exclusions list will be necessary to manage duplication.

It is expected that schools will only use the 2010 versions of achievement or NZ Curriculum-related unit standards in 2011 for students who are continuing study of Level 1 over a two-year programme.

Enquiries

Please refer any enquiries relating to this circular to your School Relationship Manager.

School Relationship Manager
Secondary Assessment and Liaison
Telephone: 04 463 3000
Fax: 04 463 3113
Email: firstname.lastname@nzqa.govt.nz