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Request for feedback on proposals to add Psychology and New Zealand Sign Language subjects and standards to the list of approved subjects for University Entrance
A2018/19 - 06 Aug 2018

To:

Principal
Principal's Nominee
Teachers of Psychology and New Zealand Sign Language

Proposals to add Psychology and New Zealand Sign Language subjects and standards to the list of approved subjects for University Entrance

NZQA is consulting with universities and secondary schools to ascertain whether they support proposals to add two new subjects Psychology and New Zealand Sign Language to the list of approved subjects for University Entrance (the List).

The first proposal is from the New Zealand Association of Psychology Teachers, requesting the addition of a new subject of Psychology consisting of five (5) Psychology achievement standards (4 internally assessed, and one externally assessed).

The application to add psychology to the list of approved subjects was supported by letters of support from three secondary schools and psychology departments from four universities (Massey, Otago, Victoria and Waikato).

The second proposal is from the Ministry of Education on behalf of the schools and other stakeholders, requesting the addition of a new subject of New Zealand Sign Language consisting of four (4) NZ Sign Language achievement standards (all internally assessed).

NZQA has undertaken an initial evaluation of the applications from the New Zealand Association of Psychology Teachers (Psychology) and the Ministry of Education (NZ Sign Language), requesting these additions to the List.

Evaluation criteria addressed the question:

Will the proposed new subject (and standards) equip students with the skills and knowledge that would

- Contribute substantially to a student’s general ability to undertake a programme of degree-level study, and if appropriate;

- Provide a foundation for study in a specific degree-level subject or discipline. [1]

Consideration of the proposed modification

NZQA now requests your consideration of the proposals to add (i) psychology and (ii) NZ Sign Language to the List.

The proposed modifications to the List would be as follows:

New Subjects	New Achievement Standards
New Zealand Sign Language	91822, 91823, 91824, 91825
Psychology	91872, 91873, 91874, 91875, 91876

Please consider the following materials for Psychology:

Psychology achievement standards matrix; assessment resources; and the teaching and learning guide.
Level 3 New Zealand Curriculum (NZC) derived achievement standards.
Level 3 external standard has been exemplified. A sample assessment has been developed and exemplars published. See Resources for externally assessed standards - sample examination paper and 91876 sample exemplars.
Psychology application (PDF, 268KB) for modification to the approved subjects list for University Entrance.
Psychology data analysis (PDF, 87KB).

Please note: Candidates will be examined for the first time on 8 November 2018.

Please consider the following materials for New Zealand Sign Language:

New Zealand Sign Language achievement standards matrix; assessment resources; and the teaching and learning guide.
Rationale - Background information and Key concepts of New Zealand Sign Language.
Level 3 New Zealand Curriculum (NZC) derived achievement standards.
NZ Sign Language application (PDF, 293KB) for modification to the approved subjects list for University Entrance.
NZ Sign Language data analysis (PDF, 80KB).

Thank you for your careful thought and consideration.

Timeline

Please forward feedback by mid-day Friday 21 September 2018 to:

Qualifications Services
Email: uechanges@nzqa.govt.nz

We are looking to promulgate the decision in November 2018.

Enquiries

Please refer any enquiries relating to this circular to:

Qualifications Services
Telephone: 04 463 3000
Email: uechanges@nzqa.govt.nz

[1] The overall purpose of the common entrance standard.