FIELD                        SCIENCES

 

Review of Physics Level 2 achievement standards

 

Subfield            Science

Domain

Id

Subject reference

Physics

90252-90258

Physics 2.1-2.7

 

The Ministry of Education and the Secondary Education Group Assessment business unit of NZQA have completed a review of the achievement standards listed above that were registered in October 2002.

 

New Registration date                        October 2004

 

Date new versions published                        October 2004

 

Planned review date                        March 2007

 

Summary of review and consultation process

 

This review is part of the planned cycle of review that takes place after the first year of use of the achievement standards.

·        Initial feedback and comments were collated from teachers/schools, moderators, the National Assessment Panel, professional development facilitators, material developers, and other stakeholders.

·        This information was reviewed by a subject expert and recommendations were made in March 2004.

·        The recommendations were sent out for limited consultation to subject networks, including teachers, assessors, moderators, facilitators, and advisors in May 2004.

 

Main changes resulting from the review

 

The review process resulted in the following modifications to the achievement standards:

·        AS90252 - the credit allocation was increased from 3 to 4 to reflect the relative emphasis on this aspect of physics.

·        AS90253 - this standard was designated review category D and its status was changed to 'expiring' as feedback indicated low use.  If schools choose to assess research, AS90313 Science 2.2 is available for this purpose.

·        AS90254 - minor amendments were made to the title and explanatory note 2 to clarify the intent of the standard.

·        AS90255 - a minor amendment was made to explanatory note 2 to clarify that momentum is restricted to one dimension.

·        AS90256 - removal of the second achievement criterion to clarify that the scope of the problem-solving is restricted in this standard.  There may be some problem-solving as indicated in explanatory note 4.

·        AS90257 - minor amendment to explanatory notes 2 and 4 to clarify intent.

·        AS90258 - minor change to the title to clarify intent.  The credit allocation was increased from 2 to 3 to reflect the relative emphasis on this aspect of physics.  The second achievement criterion was removed.  Minor changes to the explanatory notes.

 

Internally assessed achievement standard 90253, which is a Category D review, will expire in December 2005.

 

Impact on existing provider accreditations

 

None.

 

Impact on Accreditation and Moderation Action Plan (AMAP)

 

AMAP 0226 was updated to reflect the deletion of achievement standard 90253.

 

Impact on existing qualifications

 

None.

 

Impact of changes on NCEA Exclusions List

 

None.

 

Summary of main changes to achievement standards Ids, classification, titles, levels, and credits

 

The following summary shows the changes made to the achievement standards as a result of the review.  All changes are in bold.

 

Key to review category

 

A

Dates changed, but no other changes are made - the replacement achievement standard carries the same Id and a new version number

B

Changes made, but the overall outcome remains the same - the replacement achievement standard carries the same Id and a new version number

C

Major changes that necessitate the registration of a replacement achievement standard with a new Id

D

Achievement standard will expire and not be replaced

 

Subfield            Science

Domain            Physics

Id

Title

Level

Credit

Review Category

90252

Take measurements of physical quantities and analyse data graphically to determine a relationship

2

3

4

B

90253

Report on the physics of an idea or application and its significance

2

2

D

90254

Demonstrate understanding of wave phenomena

Demonstrate understanding of waves

2

4

B

90255

Demonstrate understanding of mechanics

2

6

B

90256

Demonstrate understanding of atoms and radioactivity

2

2

B

90257

Demonstrate understanding of electricity and electromagnetism

2

5

B

90258

Demonstrate understanding of the integrated nature of physics

Demonstrate understanding of physics in an integrated context

2

2

 

3

B