FIELD Multi-field
Revision of NCEA Level 3 qualification
National Certificate of
Educational Achievement (Level 3) [Ref: 1039]
The Ministry of Education has revised the qualification above.
Date new version published November
2013
The next qualification review is planned to
take place during 2016.
Reason for the revision
The main driver for revising the qualification is the introduction of literacy and numeracy requirements for the NCEA Level 3 with effect from 2014.
Literacy and numeracy knowledge and skills are essential for all learning. As students progress through the curriculum at secondary levels, the literacy and language, and mathematical and statistical demands on student learning become increasingly complex, abstract, and specialised within each subject.
Literacy and numeracy knowledge and skills are vital to ensure students are well equipped to access curriculum content and achieve in all learning areas, gain worthwhile qualifications, and ultimately succeed in the 21st century economy and society. The New Zealand Curriculum affirms the importance of literacy and numeracy.
There has been a literacy and numeracy requirement for NCEA Level 1 from its introduction in 2002, and for NCEA Level 2 since 2013.
The literacy and numeracy requirements may be met using one of two methods – either through the achievement of 10 credits from specific literacy and numeracy unit standards or through the achievement of Level 1, 2 and 3 standards that demonstrate the required literacy and numeracy skills.
The literacy and numeracy requirements for NCEA Level 3 are the same as those for NCEA Level 1 and Level 2.
Main changes resulting from
the revision
Introduction of literacy and numeracy
requirements – see below – and some updating of purpose statement and special
notes.
Literacy requirement
Minimum of 10 credits through either:
·
Achievement
standards - Specified
unit and achievement standards available through a range of subjects
(minimum total of 10 credits) – this list also includes two English for Academic Purposes unit standards that may be
used to meet the requirements, or
·
Unit
standards - package of three literacy
unit standards (total of 10 credits - all three required).
Numeracy requirement
Minimum of 10 credits through either:
·
Achievement
standards - Specified
achievement standards available through a range of subjects - (minimum
total of 10 credits), or
·
Unit
standards - package of three numeracy
unit standards (total of 10 credits - all three required).
If the literacy and numeracy requirements are met from standards at
Level 2 or above, these credits (10-20 depending on the standards achieved)
will contribute to the 80 credit minimum requirement for the
qualification. Literacy and numeracy
requirements that are met from standards at Level 1 will not contribute to the
80 credit minimum requirement for the qualification.
Transition
No transition arrangements are needed for schools as it is expected that this change will have a minimal impact on them; the majority of students will continue to gain the literacy and numeracy requirement for NCEA from Level 1 standards while studying for their NCEA Level 1. The remainder of students are very likely to gain the literacy and numeracy requirement through their normal studies towards NCEA Level 2 and Level 3.
The last date for tertiary providers to meet the requirements of versions 1-4 (without Literacy and Numeracy requirements) is 28 February 2014. This is to allow time to phase in the Literacy and Numeracy requirements.
It is not intended that anyone be
disadvantaged by this revision. However, anyone who feels they have been
disadvantaged may appeal to the Ministry of Education at the address below.
Ministry of Education
Telephone 04 463 8000
Facsimile 04 463 8001
Email standards.alignmentprojects@minedu.govt.nz