Archived material
Some aspects of the documents in this section no longer apply, however they have been archived for reference.
Newsletter No. 10 – 4 August 1998
The New South Wales Government Reforms for the School Certificate and the Higher School Certificate
The structure of the new Higher School Certificate
On the recommendation of the Board of Studies, the Minister for
Education and Training has endorsed the curriculum structure for
the New Higher School Certificate.
The structure that has emerged from three years of research and
consultation is simplified and strengthened. It will enable more
students to have fairer access to more demanding standards. It will
also lead to all HSC candidates having the opportunity to study
courses that prepare them for further education and training, employment
and full and active participation as citizens.
Under the new arrangements, students will be able to choose in-depth,
specialised study programs or broader patterns of study according
to their plans and skills. For each course, students will know whether
it leads most directly to university study, to accredited TAFE courses
or to certain career opportunities.
The curriculum structure is an important step towards the development
of a better and fairer HSC. However, it is by no means the end of
the process. There is still considerable work to be done.
The Board, in consultation with teachers, academics and key education
groups, will now redesign all relevant Stage 6 syllabuses in line
with the new course arrangements, the findings from the evaluation
process and changes to assessment outlined in Securing Their
Future.
In most cases, this will involve reorganising existing content
into the new course structures. For the vast majority of subjects,
the content of courses will remain familiar and will have much in
common with existing courses.
Extensive consultation will be an integral part of the development of syllabuses and support documents in preparation for the implementation of the new Higher School Certificate in 2000 and examination in 2001.
The new course arrangements
The evaluation of the HSC affirmed the 2 unit structure as the
basic building block of the HSC curriculum, with subjects being
offered in 2 unit components. Study in the majority of subjects
will involve a single 2 unit Preliminary course and a 2 unit HSC
course.
These courses will encompass at least the standards being achieved
by students in current 2 and 3 unit courses. Because courses will
include a higher standard throughout Years 11 and 12, students will
have longer exposure to the most challenging work than is now the
case.
In English, Mathematics, Music, Ancient History, Modern History,
specified Languages and Vocational Education and Training courses,
there will be opportunities to undertake extended study. In English,
Mathematics and Science, additional courses will also be provided
to accommodate different interests and abilities.
There will be opportunities for students to study undergraduate university courses in several subjects.
English
The HSC English curriculum is being strengthened. For the first
time, students will have the opportunity to study 4 units of English
in the HSC year. There will be an opportunity to focus on literature
in all English courses.
Students will be able to study either Standard or Advanced English,
which will be reported on a single scale. Students taking the Advanced
course will also have the option of devoting more time to the area
by selecting an extended study course that includes both language
and literature. Extended study will enable students to engage in
specialised study with increased independence.
To assist students to enhance their performance in English and across
all subject areas, Fundamentals of English will be offered as a
2 unit Preliminary course. This course will assist students to reach
the level of literacy in English required for the Higher School
Certificate year. It will be taken in conjunction with the Standard
English course.
An English as a Second Language course is being developed for students who genuinely need ESL and meet the entry requirements. If undertaken in Year 12, it will meet the Higher School Certificate requirements for the study of English.
Science
A General Science 2 Unit course will be offered along with 2 unit courses in Physics, Chemistry, Biology and Geology.
Mathematics
New HSC course arrangements will be consistent with the current
Mathematics 2 Unit Related, 3 Unit and 4 Unit courses.
The Mathematics in Society and Mathematics in Practice courses will be replaced by a new non-calculus course, which will include current learning opportunities.
Music
Students will be able to study one of two Music courses. An extended study course in Music will provide the time required for the achievement of high-level standards in performance, composition and musicology.
History
There will be 2 unit courses in Ancient History and Modern History. An extended study course in History will offer opportunity for further study in both Modern and Ancient History.
Languages
Languages will have a course structure that caters for beginning
speakers, background speakers and continuing study students. Students
requiring extra study to reach high levels of proficiency will be
able to pursue extended study in languages currently taught in a
wide cross-section of government and non-government schools.
Extensive consultation with teachers, academics and the community
on the arrangements to apply for Languages will occur during Term
3.
A summary of the arrangements for Languages is attached on page
5.
Computing Studies
Two courses will be provided – Computing Studies, and Information Processes and Technology.
Vocational Education and Training
The opportunities for students to study Vocational Education and
Training courses, as part of the HSC, will be enhanced. Six industry
frameworks are currently being developed, with further areas to
be developed in 1999.
Within each framework, students will be able to choose to study
courses of 4 units (240 hours) over the two years, as well as extension
courses of 60 or 120 hours, which will be set at a more demanding
level.
Currently, HSC courses are being developed in the following industry areas:
Tourism and Hospitality
Business Services and Administration
Metal and Engineering
Primary Industries
Information Technology
Construction.
Content Endorsed Courses
Content Endorsed Courses for the HSC and school-developed courses endorsed by the Board have been retained to ensure that schools can continue to create flexible programs of study.
Subjects being phased out of the HSC program
As recommended in Securing Their Future, Applied Studies
and General Studies will be phased out, due to substantial overlap
with other courses.
Most outcomes of the existing Sheep Husbandry and Wool Technology
and Rural Technology courses will be covered in the new VET Primary
Industries Framework, with articulation to further training courses.
Classical Ballet will be incorporated into Dance 2 Unit.
New courses
Any proposals for additional future courses will need to meet the criteria set down in the White Paper.
Breadth of study
Now that the structure for HSC courses has been determined, the Board of Studies will consider breadth of study requirements. The Board will provide advice to the Minister on these requirements in the near future. This will be reported in a future Securing Their Future newsletter.
Professional development
The changes will be supported by a comprehensive training and development program to ensure that teachers fully understand the new courses and the new basis of assessment and reporting. This will be designed to ensure that all schools are able to implement the new arrangements as smoothly as possible.
Attachments
You are encouraged to read the information following, which summarises
the changes to course arrangements.
Professor Gordon Stanley
President, Board of Studies NSW
4 August 1998
Summary of Higher School Certificate course arrangements
|
SUBJECT |
New HSC Course Arrangements |
||
|
Single Course |
Extended Study |
Number of Courses |
|
|
English |
Standard course Advanced course |
Yes (from Advanced Course only) |
3 |
|
English as a Second Language |
Yes |
1 |
|
|
Fundamentals of English |
Yes (Preliminary only) |
1 |
|
| Mathematics 2/3/4 Unit Non-calculus Mathematics [MIS/MIP] |
Yes Yes |
Yes |
3 1 |
|
General Science |
Yes |
1 |
|
|
Biology |
Yes |
1 |
|
|
Chemistry |
Yes |
1 |
|
|
Geology |
Yes |
1 |
|
|
Physics |
Yes |
1 |
|
| Computing Studies Information Processes and Technology |
Yes Yes |
1 1 |
|
|
Design and Technology |
Yes |
1 |
|
|
Engineering Science |
Yes |
1 |
|
|
Industrial Technology |
Yes |
1 |
|
|
Food Technology |
Yes |
1 |
|
|
Textiles and Design |
Yes |
1 |
|
|
Agriculture |
Yes |
1 |
|
| Ancient History Modern History |
Yes Yes |
Yes |
3 |
|
Geography |
Yes |
1 |
|
|
Economics |
Yes |
1 |
|
|
Business Studies |
Yes |
1 |
|
|
Legal Studies |
Yes |
1 |
|
|
Society and Culture |
Yes |
1 |
|
|
Aboriginal Studies |
Yes |
1 |
|
| Studies of Religion (120 hrs) Studies of Religion (240 hrs) |
Yes Yes |
1 1 |
|
| Music - Course 1 Music - `2 Unit Related' |
Yes Yes |
|
3 |
|
Visual Arts |
Yes |
1 |
|
|
Dance |
Yes |
1 |
|
|
Drama |
Yes |
1 |
|
|
Life Management |
Yes |
1 |
|
|
PDHPE |
Yes |
1 |
|
|
Classical Ballet |
This subject will be incorporated as an option within the new single Dance course. | ||
|
VET |
Six industry frameworks are currently being developed, with further areas to be added in 1999. Within each industry area, students will be able to study courses of 4 units in length as well as extension courses which will be set at a more demanding level. | ||
Summary of Higher School Certificate arrangements: Languages
Category 1 languages (languages of statewide provision):
|
Chinese: |
1 x Beginners, 1 x Continuers (+Extension), 1 x Background Speakers |
|
Indonesian: |
1 x Beginners, 1 x Continuers (+Extension), 1 x Background Speakers |
|
Japanese: |
1 x Beginners, 1 x Continuers (+Extension), 1 x Background Speakers |
|
French: |
1 x Beginners, 1 x Continuers (+Extension) |
|
German: |
1 x Beginners, 1 x Continuers (+Extension) |
|
Italian: |
1 x Beginners, 1 x Continuers (+Extension) |
Category 2 languages (languages in transition):
On past and current data, these languages each warrant a Continuers
course. A consultation process, applying the White Paper criteria,
will determine what other provisions will be applied.
|
Arabic: |
|
|
Korean: |
|
|
Modern Greek: |
|
|
Spanish: |
|
Category 3 languages (languages of small candidature):
Viability criteria under consideration mean that a language
may lose its HSC status if its number of candidates nationally does
not reach 15 students averaged over three years.
|
Armenian: |
1 x Background Speakers |
|
Croatian: |
1 x Background Speakers |
|
Czech: |
1 x Background Speakers |
|
Dutch: |
1 x Background Speakers |
|
Estonian: |
1 x Background Speakers |
|
Filipino: |
1 x Background Speakers |
|
Hindi: |
1 x Background Speakers |
|
Hungarian: |
1 x Background Speakers |
|
Khmer: |
1 x Background Speakers |
|
Latvian: |
1 x Background Speakers |
|
Lithuanian: |
1 x Background Speakers |
|
Macedonian: |
1 x Background Speakers |
|
Malay: |
1 x Background Speakers |
|
Maltese: |
1 x Background Speakers |
|
Modern Hebrew: |
1 x Background Speakers |
|
Persian: |
1 x Background Speakers |
|
Polish: |
1 x Background Speakers |
|
Portuguese: |
1 x Background Speakers |
|
Russian: |
1 x Background Speakers |
|
Serbian: |
1 x Background Speakers |
|
Slovenian: |
1 x Background Speakers |
|
Swedish: |
1 x Background Speakers |
|
Turkish: |
1 x Background Speakers |
|
Ukrainian: |
1 x Background Speakers |
|
Vietnamese: |
1 x Background Speakers |
Category 4 languages (classical languages):
|
Latin: |
1 x Continuers (+Extension) |
|
Classical Greek: |
1 x Continuers (+Extension) |
|
Classical Hebrew: |
1 x Continuers (+Extension) |
Category 5 languages:
Aboriginal languages
AuSLan