Manuals and Guides
The documents, manuals, reports and guidelines to be found here...
- ACACA
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- ACACA Conference, Sydney, 2001
- ACACA - Leaving School in Australia
- ACACA - Curriculum Trends in Australia
- Board of Studies NSW documents
- Board Endorsed Courses
- Credentialling
- Home Education
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- Home Education in NSW Information Package
- Higher School Certificate and School Certificate
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- HSC Exam Workbooks
- Certification of HSC project, submitted works and performances
- Guide to the School Certificate: Rules and Procedures for Students
- Advice to Students, Parents and Teachers - HSC Assessment and Submitted Works
- Equipment checklist for the Higher School Certificate Examinations and School Certificate Tests
- HSC Assessment in a Standards-Referenced Framework – A Guide to Best Practice
- HSC Distinction Courses – An Information Booklet
- HSC English Prescribed Areas of Study, Electives and Texts
- HSC Performances and Submitted Works – Advice to Schools Regarding Content
- New ‘Standards-Based’ Higher School Certificate Brochure
- Preliminary Entries for the New Higher School Certificate
- Recognition of Prior Learning for the Higher School Certificate
- Rules and Procedures for Higher School Certificate Candidates
- NSW HSC On-Line
- Presentations for parent information evenings
- Disability provisions (formerly special examination provisions)
- Mathematics
- Overseas Recognition
- Registration
- Research and Reference
- Other
ACACA
ACACA Conference, Sydney, 2001
The annual conference of the Australasian Curriculum, Assessment and Certification Authorities was held in Sydney in July 2001. The conference centred on the theme: "Bringing Assessment and Curriculum Issues Together". Copies of papers presented at the conference are provided here.
ACACA - Leaving School in Australia
A guide to Year 12 Certificates and Tertiary Entrance Requirements in Australia. Published by the Board of Studies NSW for the Australian Curriculum, Assessment and Certification Authorities (ACACA). This website summarises the types of subjects, courses and various methods of assessing and reporting student achievement in each of the eight public education systems in Australia. It also describes the certificates and other records of achievement issued to students when they complete their senior secondary education and outlines the minimum requirements for tertiary entrance.
ACACA - Curriculum Trends in Australia in 2000
This website is published by the Board of Studies NSW for the Australian Curriculum, Assessment and Certification Authorities (ACACA) Compulsory Years of Schooling Group which was established in 1998 to provide an Australian forum for the consideration of curriculum, assessment and certification issues in the compulsory years of schooling. A survey seeking information on aspects of the curriculum in the compulsory years was distributed to each state/territory in Australia in April 2000. The survey sought information on four areas: Standards and Benchmarking, Middle Years of Schooling, Vocational Learning and Reporting at the end of the Compulsory Years. The responses from each state/territory are provided on this website.
Board of Studies NSW documents
The Board of Studies NSW Annual Reports
Board of Studies NSW Annual reports
The Education Act 1990 established the Board of Studies NSW as a statutory body with a membership representative of community interests.
The Board’s responsibilities are to:
- develop curriculum and curriculum support materials for all schools from Kindergarten to Year 12
- develop and conduct examinations leading to the award of the School Certificate and Higher School Certificate
- advise the Minister for Education and Training on applications from non government schools seeking to operate in New South Wales
- accredit non-government schools to present candidates for the School Certificate and Higher School Certificate.
The Board of Studies NSW Syllabus Development Handbook
This Handbook has been developed to provide an outline of the process of syllabus development and revision. It has been designed principally for those involved directly through Board committees in the process of curriculum development. It includes sections on the operation of the Board of Studies, procedures for syllabus development, the components of a syllabus and administrative information for project members.
- Syllabus Development Handbook (PDF)
- Updated 28 August 2006
The Board of Studies NSW Syllabus Development Process
The Board of Studies is committed to a syllabus development process that provides opportunities for consultation, establishes achievable timelines and ensures quality syllabuses.
The process, using a project management approach, involves four phases:
- Syllabus review
- Writing brief development
- Syllabus development
- Implementation.
The process is described on the following pages.
Masters Report - Fair and Meaningful Measures?
The Board of Studies NSW has considered the Masters Review into the New Higher School Certificate examination program: Fair and Meaningful Measures? (PDF) and voted to adopt all 20 recommendations. The Board commissioned Professor Geoff Masters, Executive Director, Australian Council for Educational Research, to undertake the review.
The report is copyright free to schools and school organisations.
- Board of Studies NSW Action Plans (PDF)
- Related to the Recommendations in the Masters Report
Statement of Equity Principles
This Statement of Equity Principles provides a guide to writers of syllabuses, support materials and assessment guidelines in developing materials which relate to two of the Board's corporate objectives:
- to develop high quality courses and support materials for primary and secondary education suited to the needs of the full range of students;
- to assess student achievement and award credentials of international standards to meet the needs of the full range of students.
The Statement of Equity Principles is derived from the Board's Statement of Values (pp 2-3) which was endorsed by the Board in 1994. The Statement of Equity Principles serves to elucidate the Statement of Values from an equity perspective.
A PDF is also available for download:
Statement of Values
Overarching values document to guide the development of teaching materials.
Read the Board of Studies Statement of Values.
Board Endorsed Courses
School Developed Board Endorsed Courses – Guidelines for Course Proposals
- Guidelines for Course Proposals
Revised February 2012
Deadline for applications is 7 May 2012
For further information please email Board Endorsed Programs.
University Developed Board Endorsed Courses - Guidelines and Application Form
- Guidelines for Course Proposals
Revised October 2011 - Application for a University Developed Board Endorsed
Revised October 2011
Deadline for application is 25 May 2012
For further information please email Board Endorsed Programs.
Stages 5 and 6 Board Endorsed VET Courses – Guidelines and Application Forms
Schools wishing to offer a VET course which has not yet been endorsed need to apply for endorsement of the course.
- Guidelines for Stages 5 and 6 Board Endorsed VET Courses
- Application forms for Board Endorsed VET Courses
For any enquiries, please call the VET Curriculum team on +61 2 9367 8310
Credentialling
Equivalent Qualifications
Explains how to obtain a Statement of Equivalence (to New South Wales school level awards) for your secondary education qualifications from other Australian States and Territories or from overseas countries.
- Guidelines for Accelerated Progression
- Revised 2000
All children need to receive an education that takes account of their special characteristics as learners.
Gifted students possess such superior intellectual abilities and potential for outstanding achievement in comparison with the total student population that, like other groups, they need differentiated educational opportunity if they are to realise their unique potential.
Replacement Certificates
Explains how to obtain a statement to replace lost or mislaid New South Wales Intermediate Certificates, Leaving Certificates, Higher School Certificates, School Certificates and Year 11 Records of Achievement.
Report on Data Collection for School Certificate Credentialling for Students with Special Education Needs in Stage 5 (1996)
As at June 2000, the Board's decided that School Certificate Credentialling for Students with Special Education Needs in Stage 5 should be subject to routine data collection in accordance with the procedures established in the revised syllabus development process.
Home Education
Home Education in NSW Information Package
The Home Education Information Package is intended to provide a description of the steps to be followed when applying for registration for Home Education and to assist parents/guardians in preparing to home educate their child/children. The package also contains an application for registration for Home Education.
The Home Education Information Package, including forms, is available from the Parents page.
Higher School Certificate and School Certificate
2010 HSC Exam Workbooks
HSC study resources are now available on buy online.
Workbooks with real exam questions from the 2010 HSC exam papers in Business Studies, English Standard and Advanced, General Mathematics, Mathematics and Physics are now available to buy.
Certification of HSC project, submitted works and performances
The following information relates to those HSC courses that include a project, submitted work or performance as part of the Higher School Certificate examination.
- Information for Principals and Head Teachers/Coordinators, which summarises the roles that principals, supervising teachers and students play in the certification of HSC projects, submitted works and performances
- Information for Students, which reminds students of the requirement that their work must be certified, and of their responsibilities regarding their projects
- Information for Supervising Teachers, which provides guideance and advice on requirements for certification and best practice in monitoring and supervising work in progress
- A pro-forma to assist in monitoring students’ work on their projects. The teacher may use this pro-forma to make notes on progress at various stages in the development of each student’s project.
Presentations for parent information evenings
These Powerpoint presentations will assist schools holding parent information evenings about the NSW Higher School Certificate and School Certificate. The presentations explain the mandatory curriculum requirements for the School Certificate and the HSC, as well as standards-based assessment processes.
- HSC Information for Year 10 Students and Parents (PowerPoint; 2.5 MB)
- Published 16 August 2011
- School Certificate Requirements Credentials (PowerPoint; 1.1 MB)
- Published 17 August 2009
Guide to the 2011 School Certificate: Rules and Procedures for Students
- Guide to the 2011 School Certificate – Rules and Procedures for Students (PDF)
- Published 7 March 2011
This guide covers important information for all students undertaking the School Certificate.
Advice to students, parents and teachers – HSC Assessments and Submitted Works
View copies of pamphlets that will assist students in completing their assessments tasks and independent research projects honestly and with confidence. Also available are copies of an HSC Student Declaration form, HSC Confirmation of Entry form and the booklet Rules and Procedures for HSC candidates.
All these documents are available on the HSC Assessment page
- Advice to students – HSC Assessments and Submitted Works
- Also available as a PDF pamphlet
- Advice to parents – HSC Assessments and Submitted Works
- Also available as a PDF pamphlet
- Advice to teachers – HSC Assessments and Submitted Works
- Also available as a PDF pamphlet
- Updated example of Student Declaration form (Music Composition cover sheet 4)
- Updated example of Confirmation of Entry form
- Copy of the text of the Student Declaration on the Confirmation of Entry form
HSC Assessment in a Standards-Referenced Framework – A Guide to Best Practice
This booklet has been produced to assist schools and teachers in designing and implementing good policies and procedures for the Higher School Certificate Assessment Program. It will also assist in the evaluation of the effectiveness of current practices.
This booklet builds on earlier documents in this field, HSC Assessment Checklist (1998), HSC Assessment a Guide to Developing Procedures in Schools (1997), and The New Higher School Certificate Assessment Support Document (1999), and is consistent with the requirements of the current syllabuses and the standards-referenced approach to assessing student achievement.
- HSC Assessment in a Standards-Referenced Framework – A Guide to Best Practice
- Also available in PDF format (without colour cover)
HSC Distinction Courses – An Information Booklet
The Distinction course program is no longer offered. It has now been replaced by the HSC–University pathways program.
HSC English Prescribed Areas of Study, Electives and Texts
HSC English Prescribed Areas of Study, Electives and Texts for the English (Standard) Course, English (Advanced) Course, English (ESL) Course, and the English Extension 1 Course.
There is also a poster version available for download.
HSC Performances and Submitted Works – Advice to Schools Regarding Content
The New ‘Standards-Based’ Higher School Certificate Brochure
Questions covered include:
- How is the New HSC stronger and fairer?
- How will students know the standard they have reached?
- How will students know what the standards are? and
- How will the New HSC examinations help students to perform at their best?
- The New Standards-based Higher School Certificate (PDF)
- Published 14 May 2001
Mathematics
Mathematics Stage 6 Review and Development Project – Report on Syllabus Review (March-December 2006)
A plan for the review and development of NSW Stage 6 Mathematics courses has been endorsed by the Board of Studies.
The Board’s Mathematics Stage 6 Review and Development Project commenced in 2006. This document reports on the strategies used to gather data in the first phase of the Syllabus Review project.
Mathematics Stage 6 Literature and Curriculum Review
A critical analysis of selected Australian and international mathematics syllabuses for the post-compulsory years of secondary schooling. Prepared for the NSW Board of Studies by Mary Coupland, PhD, MAustMS Department of Mathematical Sciences University of Technology, Sydney.
These materials are provided for research purposes and may contain opinions that are not shared by the Board of Studies NSW.
Mathematics Stage 6 Symposium Proceedings
Held at Georges River College, Oatley Senior Campus, Saturday 19 August 2006.
Overseas Recognition
Overseas Recognition
Manual for the recognition of schools outside NSW to present candidates for the NSW School Certificate and/or Higher School Certificate. This document contains the Expression of Interest and application forms and the criteria used for the assessment of these forms.
- Manual for the recognition of schools outside NSW to present candidates for the NSW School Certificate and/or Higher School Certificate (PDF)
- Published 10 October 2008
- Updated 9 December 2009
Registration
Registered and Accredited Individual Non-government Schools (NSW) Manual and Registration Systems and Member Non-government Schools (NSW) Manual and Forms
Manuals
Documents containing tracked changes of amendments to the manuals are available on the Registration and Accreditation of Non-government Schools (RANGS) website.
Forms
Applications and notifications with regard to registration and accreditation may be made using the Board's online facility, RANGS Online.
To access RANGS Online:
- go to the eBos Online Services menu located on the right side of the Board of Studies homepage
- click on RANGS
- on the RANGS welcome page click on the RANGS Online link
- enter your User ID and Password.
If you require advice or you are a new user please contact the Registration Unit on 02 9367 8432.
Also available are lists of the requirements in the form of proforma checklists. Many schools find the proformas helpful in planning for renewal of registration.
Further Information
Other
Assessment, Certification and Examination (ACE) Manual
- Assessment, Certification and Examination (ACE) manual (PDF)
- ACE manual with internal linking (PDF)
- Updated 20 January 2006
- Note: the ACE website supersedes the ACE Manual for all information on policies relating to the Higher School Certificate.
The ACE Manual is current only for policies relating to Years 7-10.
Drug and Alcohol Education Resource List
Schools are provided with a range of resources to assist teachers to develop teaching and learning programs that meet the educational needs of their students. The following resources support the implementation of drug and alcohol education.
Drug and Alcohol Education Resource List (PDF)
Also available in Word format
Assessment Resource Centre
- Assessment Resource Centre (ARC) website
- The aim of this website is to support and enhance professional practice in the assessment and reporting of student achievement across Years K to 12. It has been developed primarily for teachers, although parents and students will also find it useful.
- Reporting using Grades FAQs (PDF)
- Standards-based assessing and reporting (PowerPoint).
K-12 Technology Statement Development
The Technology Statement K-12 broadly defines the continuum of learning in technology syllabuses K-12 and defines identified areas of study and elective syllabuses in the TAS KLA that appropriately address advances in technology.
- Report on the development of a K–12 Technology Statement (PDF)
- Published February 2002
Middle Years Literature Review
A report by Associate Professor Roslyn Arnold (University of Sydney, Faculty of Education)
- Middle Years Literature Review Part 1 (PDF)
- Also available in Word format
- Middle Years Literature Review Part 2 (PDF)
- Also available in Word format
Modern History Syllabus Stage 6 for Teachers
As a result of consultation and an analysis of feedback from the 2001 HSC examination, the Board of Studies wishes to advise teachers of Modern History of the following:
- Changes to Part II National Studies are identified in the Support Material for Modern History Stage 6 Syllabus Part B: The HSC Course, pages 7-8. This document is available in the Syllabuses and Support Documents section of this website. In particular, teachers’ attention is drawn to changes to National Study Option E: Germany 1918-1945. In the new syllabus, more emphasis is placed on the rise of Hitler to power in the 1930s and his consolidation of power, and less on the early period of Weimar government.
- Concepts, groups and events need to be integrated into the key features of the period. In Part II National Studies, the chosen personality also needs to be integrated into the key features where appropriate. Examination questions can target any section of the syllabus content.
In response to concern about possible ambiguity in relation to the wording of dot point 7 of the key features of World War I and its aftermath 1914-1921 (syllabus page 31): post-war soldier and civilian expectations of the government as a result of war experiences (Britain), the dates 1918-1919 will be included in the bracket. The dot point will now read:
- post-war soldier and civilian expectations of the government as a result of war experiences (Britain 1918-1919)
This will allow teaching and learning about the expectations of the Versailles Treaty, the ‘make Germany pay’ attitude, and Lloyd George’s ‘a home fit for heroes’ vision, without teachers needing to explore content related to the development of the welfare state in Britain.
This amendment to the syllabus is in the Board Bulletin.
The change will apply for the 2003 HSC examination.
Respect and Responsibility
Teachers, students and parents - As part of the NSW Government’s action plan for values education, the Board of Studies coordinated a project during 2006 focusing on the values of Respect and Responsibility. This included a Schools Forum involving students, teachers, parents and community members from government and non-government schools. This website contains excerpts from the Forum on Respect and Responsibility in audio, video, and text formats. Other aspects of the project on this site are curriculum mapping K-10 which identifies opportunities to incorporate respect and responsibility into teaching as well as resources to promote respect and responsibility in education. There are also links to other websites on values education.
Principles for developing examination specifications and assessment guidelines
In 2004, the Board of Studies developed a set of principles designed to assist syllabus writers in the development of internal assessment guidelines and examination specifications when developing or revising HSC courses.
NSW HSC On-Line
NSW HSC On-line is a valuable site for students and teachers. It is being developed as a joint venture by Charles Sturt University and the NSW
Department of Education and Training. The NSW Board of Studies, the Joint Council of NSW Professional Teachers' Associations are contributing to the
development of the site.
Preliminary Entries for the New Higher School Certificate
The curriculum reforms in the Governments White Paper, Securing Their Future, centred on improving curriculum standards through increasing the rigour and quality of the curriculum.
- Preliminary Entries for the New Higher School Certificate (PDF)
- Also available in Word format
Recognition of Prior Learning for the Higher School Certificate
The Board of Studies uses the term Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL) as a generic term for the two mechanisms (credit transfer and advanced standing) by which the Board recognises formal or informal study and/or relevant life experience as contributing to the award of the Higher School Certificate.
2012 HSC rules and procedures
- This guide outlines the rules and procedures for the 2012 Higher School Certificate.
- 2012 HSC Rules and Procedures Guide
The Board of Studies NSW Archives
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