Archived material
Some aspects of the documents in this section no longer apply, however they have been archived for reference.
Securing Their Future Newsletter No. 1
18 September 1997
Index
This is the first of a number of regular newsletters on the implementation of the reforms to the School Certificate and Higher School Certificate.
Copies of all newsletters in this series will be placed on the Board's website http://www.boardofstudies.nsw.edu.au.
Copies of the White Paper Securing Their Future have been forwarded to all secondary schools. Information is also available from the HSC White Paper hotline, telephone (02) 9561 8101, and on the internet http://www.dtec.nsw.gov.au.
The School Certificate
In 1998 and 1999, there will be some changes to the School Certificate, but this does not require current Year 8 students to change their subject choices for next year.
In November 1998 there will be two external tests, one in the area of English literacy and the other in Mathematics. There will be two other trial tests -- one in Science and one covering Australian History, Australian Geography and Civics -- for participating schools.
Since the release of the White Paper the Government has continued
to consult on the reforms. In relation to the School Certificate
the Government has responded by taking the following decisions:
-
The test in Science will not be called `Science and Technology'. The test will be on Science (and its applications) and the content of the test will be derived from the Science syllabus. The Science test will be trialled in 1998 and implemented in 1999.
-
There is an extension to the timeline for trialling the test covering the area of Australian History, Australian Geography and Civics as part of the School Certificate. This test will begin as a trial in 1998, with further trialling in 1999.
School authorities will be able to choose to participate in the trial tests in Science and Australian History, Australian Geography and Civics. Students who participate in the trials will receive a mark. This mark will be provided separately from the official record of achievement.
The tests in each of the areas will be based on Board of Studies syllabuses and will be reported against standards achieved by students. Advice about these tests will be made available as soon as possible. Detailed test specifications including sample questions will be provided early in 1998.
The Government will continue to include school-based assessment of the standard of students' achievement in subjects studied.
In summary, the following timeline will apply to the School Certificate:
-
November 1998 Tests in English literacy and Mathematics.
Two trial tests, one in Science and one covering Australian History, Australian Geography and Civics. -
November 1999 Tests in English literacy, Mathematics and Science.
Further trialling of the test covering Australian History, Australian Geography and Civics. -
November 2000 Tests in English literacy, Mathematics, Science, and Australian History, Australian Geography and Civics.
Unlike the current reference tests, students will receive their own marks for each test.
Higher School Certificate 2001
Before proceeding with substantial changes to the existing curriculum structure, the Government will conduct a detailed investigation of the structure proposed in the White Paper.
Reforms to the HSC will be introduced gradually, taking advice from teachers, parents, employers and universities. Through later issues of this newsletter you will be kept up to date on progress.
Further information
Reporting in later bulletins will also cover other aspects of the
reforms, such as:
-
further advice on the School Certificate
-
aspects of the HSC curriculum investigation
-
progress on trialling of the proposed HSC curriculum structure in schools
-
strengthening vocational education courses in the HSC
-
development of the new Universities Admissions Index.
The current Year 8 students will be the first to undertake the new Higher School Certificate in 2001. I am writing separately to parents of Year 8 students to inform them of the changes.
If you have any enquiries, please contact the HSC Coordination Taskforce Secretariat on telephone number (02) 9367 8141, or e-mail the Taskforce Executive Officer, Mr Chris Ryan, ryanc@boardofstudies.nsw.edu.au or fax (02) 9367 8376.
Warren A Grimshaw
President
Board of Studies NSW
18/09/97