NZQA Considers Students' Views of NCEA and NQF

NZQA Considers Students' Views of NCEA and NQF

The Qualifications Authority has released a survey that suggests most students understand the NCEA assessment system.

The survey of student views of the National Qualifications Framework and NCEA compiles feedback from a series of focus groups of Year 12 and 13 students from 16 schools held late last year. The report was released today at the National Secondary Schools Qualifications Conference in Palmerston North.

NZQA chief executive Dr Karen Poutasi says it is very important that the views of students are taken into account as the qualifications system is refined and developed.

"This survey offers us a sample of their views and, as you would expect, the students have a mix of impressions about examinations and qualifications," she said.

Feedback suggests students like · being able to build up credits through internal assessment during the year · the chance to study at multiple levels · not having high stakes examinations/less pressure going into exam period · flexibility and choice in subjects to take/standards to be assessed.

Some students don't like · unit standards not having Merit and Excellence grades · having only three grades of achievement in achievement standards · Merit and Excellence grades not being worth extra credit · the layout of the Record of Learning.

Dr Poutasi says this feedback, coupled with views being expressed by employer groups, confirms the need to consider changes to the way tertiary and secondary students' results are presented to make it easier to interpret individual student performance and level of achievement.

Currently, students receive their NQF Result Notice and, once results are finalised, may apply for their Record of Learning, listing all the standards they have achieved and the credits earned.

Dr Poutasi said a great deal of detail is contained in these documents and it would be useful if, in addition, that information was summarised, with standards from the same learning areas grouped and presented in logical sequence.

"We need to ensure that job-seekers are armed with credentials that employers can understand and interpret. Employers groups are being consulted about our proposals and they're pleased that changes are under discussion," she said.

She said one proposal is to include a summary that allows someone to see at a glance the extent of achievement towards the three levels of NCEA and for university entrance.

Decisions on the detail of any changes and a timeframe will be settled when consultation is completed.

The report is available on the NZQA website www.nzqa.govt.nz.

ENDS

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