Derived Grade Updates

August 2022
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Derived grade update #1

Derived Grade Updates are issued at regular intervals. They are available in the derived grade section of your school’s Provider Login and complement information on the NZQA website.

2022 Derived Grade timelines

Topics in this Update

• Circular Reaffirming Derived Grade Quality Assurance Processes
• Gathering evidence for an individual derived grade or derived grades at scale
• Updated derived grade application form
• Derived grades for Review of Achievement Standards pilot schools
• Ensuring derived grades are submitted to NZQA for use at scale if an unexpected event declared
• Management of school practice exams
• Managing student absence for the MCAT and L1 and L2 Visual Arts
• Managing student absence for the L1,2 and 3 Digital Technology/Hangarau Matihiko (DCAT)
• Managing student absence for Levels 1, 2 and 3 Technology and Design and Visual Communications and Level 3 Visual Arts and Education for Sustainability
• National Representation – the derived grade pre-approval process and eligibility criteria
• Managing assessment programmes of unwell students
• Useful links to derived grade information.

Circular Reaffirming Derived Grade Quality Assurance Processes

This circular provides clarification on the quality assurance requirements for a derived grade. These requirements apply for individual derived grade applications and derived grades applied at scale.

Gathering evidence for an individual derived grade or derived grades at scale

In 2022, actual standard specific evidence must be collected for a derived grade or derived grade at scale (previously referred to as Unexpected Event Grades). The evidence:

• must meet the requirements of the standard
• must be authentic
• could be gathered from authentic formative work and/or summative activities but must mirror the format and conditions of the standard
• must be pre-existing - collected before the start of the external assessment

Evidence of a quality assurance process, using grade verification or justification processes is required to confirm the derived grade is credible. NZQA may choose to review or verify evidence in certain circumstances. Information on gathering school-based evidence for external assessments is available here.

Senior Management is responsible for ensuring that all derived grades are based on valid, authentic evidence and have been subject to quality assurance processes.

A Derived Grade Quality Assurance Check Templates for Heads of Department / Faculty has been developed for Principals; Nominees to document evidence that confirms derived grades are based on valid authentic quality assured evidence. Appendix 1  (DOCX, 29KB)provides a paper format and Appendix 2 (DOCX, 28KB) could be converted to an on-line document to populate a spreadsheet.

Derived grade application form has been updated

The derived grade application form for illness, trauma, or a serious event, and for National Representation has been updated for 2022. Please make updated copies available to students/ākonga.

A Pilot Derived Grade Application form has been developed for schools trialling the draft achievement standards to use for Common Assessment Activities in Terms 2 and 3.

Derived grades for Review of Achievement Standards pilot schools

The derived grade tool is open only for schools trialling the draft achievement standards until 17 October. NZQA will check and remove any applications received before 17 October from non-pilot schools. See information in the Circular. Derived grade information specific to pilot schools was emailed to Principal’s Nominees in May and is available on Te Aka.

Ensuring derived grades are submitted to NZQA for use if an unexpected event is declared

Check that markbooks in your student management system are properly setup to ensure your monthly data file submission to NZQA includes Derived Grade results for unexpected events (Rule 5.5c.).

Managing student absence for the L1 MCAT, L1 and 2 Visual Arts

For Level 1 and 2 Visual Art - Use the school’s late assessment policy including providing an extension, where appropriate. The grade reported is to be derived from valid, authentic, standard-specific evidence demonstrated in the candidate's submitted portfolio and other student work. See the Administrative Instructions.

For Level 1 MCAT - Use the school’s missed assessment policy. The grade reported must be from pre-existing evidence gathered before the Day 1 MCAT was held and be valid, authentic and standard-specific. See the MCAT Administrative Guidelines.

Managing student absence for the L1,2 and 3 Digital Technology/Hangarau Matihiko (DCAT)

Use NZQA’s derived grade application process. Students must complete a derived grade application form including obtaining appropriate supporting evidence. The derived grade reported by the school must come from pre-existing evidence gathered before the DCAT was held, and be valid, authentic and standard-specific.

Managing student absence for

• Levels 1, 2 and 3 Technology and Design and Visual Communications

• Level 3 Visual Arts and Education for Sustainability

Use NZQA’s derived grade application process. Students must complete a derived grade application form including obtaining appropriate supporting evidence. The derived grade reported must be based on standard specific work demonstrated in the portfolio. Other valid student work can be used to determine the derived grade reported. There must be sufficient evidence in the submitted portfolio and other work to support the grade reported. The grade cannot be predicted.

See the Submission Instructions on the individual subject pages for clarification of the derived grade process. A derived grade is not available where a candidate does not submit a portfolio.

National Representation – the derived grade pre-approval process and eligibility criteria

National Representation requires the registered National Body to confirm the candidate has been selected to represent their country in a nationally selected team. The pre-approval process will confirm for the candidate their activity meets the eligibility criteria and the dates for which a derived grade is available.

Managing assessment programmes of unwell students

Derived grades are for a temporary acute, non-recurring illness at the time of the examinations. Long-term and ongoing illnesses or conditions are not normally approved reasons for a derived grade. These are usually best handled through the Special Assessment Conditions (SAC) process. For students suffering from an on-going illness, condition or trauma, the primary focus for schools should be on providing the best possible conditions for the student to get well or recover.

The Derived Grade Mythbuster has been updated

The Derived Grade Mythbuster has been updated to reflect recent changes and provide clarification.

Useful links to derived grade information

Information for Candidates and Caregivers and for Principal’s Nominees.

For further information, contact the Derived Grade Team derivedgrades@nzqa.govt.nz