Derived Grade Updates

September 2020
- 1 Sep 2020

DERIVED GRADE and UNEXPECTED EVENT GRADE UPDATE #4

Derived Grade and Unexpected Event Grade Updates are issued each term. They are available in the Derived grade section of your school’s Provider Login and complement information on the NZQA website.

Updated Derived Grade 2020 timelines

 Topics in this Derived Grade Update

Gathering school-based evidence for external assessment

Report to confirm unexpected event grades are submitted to NZQA

Information for portfolio subject teachers of the derived grade process

Injuries to an arm or hand at examination time

Managing assessment programmes of known unwell students

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

Gathering school-based evidence for external assessments

Schools must ensure evidence is collected for students’ externally assessed standards (Rule 5.5c). This ensures grades are available for derived grades or if an unexpected event is declared.

Information on gathering school-based evidence for external assessments is available here and includes:

• how to gather evidence from formal assessment events and the learning process
• the quality assurance of grades using a verification or justification process
• a PowerPoint and templates to assist

NEW – Report to confirm unexpected event grades are submitted to NZQA

Schools are required to send unexpected event grades to NZQA (Rule 5.5c). Please ask Heads of Department to check markbooks are set up to include these grades with your monthly data file.

A report of the unexpected event grades submitted by your school is available in the Reports section of your Provider Login.  Please use this report to check these grades are in your data file for all external subjects students are entered for.

Information for portfolio subject teachers on the derived grade submitted

Applies to:

• Levels 1, 2 and 3 Design and Visual Communication and Technology
• Level 3 Visual Arts and Education for Sustainability

See the Submission Instructions on the individual subject pages for clarification of the derived grade process including that:

• Standard specific work demonstrated in the portfolio and other student work can be used to determine the derived grade reported.
• There must be sufficient evidence available to confirm the student is capable of performing at the level of the derived grade submitted.

Injuries to an arm or hand prior to a candidate’s examinations

Where the injury occurs prior to 1 October, the injury must be managed through Special Assessment Conditions. An application for Writer/Computer or Extra Time must be made.

Where the injury occurs after 1 October, a candidate should apply for a derived grade. Special Assessment Conditions are not usually available because of insufficient time to practise working with a writer/computer.

Managing assessment programmes of known unwell students

For those students suffering from an on-going illness, condition or trauma, the primary focus should be on providing the best possible conditions for the student to get well or recover. This includes modifying their assessment programme to reduce assessment load anxiety.

The provision of Special Assessment Conditions. such as separate or small group accommodation, can also assist in managing students’ ongoing health.

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. There is a pre-approval process. It will confirm for the candidate their activity meets the eligibility criteria and the dates a derived grade is available for.

Links to derived grade information

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