1. Arrangements for Year 10 students in 2012 Planning for the implementation of a new credential for students who leave school after completing Year 10, but before receiving their HSC Board of Studies NSW

2. In 2011 it was announced that: There will be no more School Certificate tests in NSW There will be a new credential created for students who leave school after completing Year 10, but before receiving their HSC Schools will still need to enter Year 10 students into Stage 5 courses, and provide grades for those students at the end of the year The Board will provide more details on all the aspects of a new credential, and its implementation, throughout 2012.

3. The new credential will: Provide an ongoing, cumulative record for students It will record grades for courses students complete in Year 10 (and in 2013 Year 11) Report results of moderated, school-based assessment Introduce optional, online literacy and numeracy testing for 2013 school leavers, (details of timing and administration to be provided by the Board) Provide the opportunity for students to incorporate extra-curricular achievements. This will be piloted in a small number of schools in 2012.

4. Which classes will be affected: Students who are entering Year 11 in 2012 are not affected. Those students have received their School Certificate and the next school credential they will be eligible for is the HSC Students entering Year 10 in 2012 will be eligible for the new credential when they have completed Stage 5 It will only be issued to students when they leave school. For most students in the current Year 10 cohort this will be in 2013.

5. What do schools need to do for students going into Year 10 in 2012: Students should be entered into Stage 5 courses through Schools Online as per usual Teachers should conduct their assessments according to current procedures By 30 November 2012, teachers will need to enter grades for Year 10 students using the results of school-based assessments. The Board will provide more information throughout the course of 2012 on entering grades The end date for Year 10 will not change. Students will be expected to maintain a satisfactory attendance record as defined by your school or school system authority The commencement date for HSC studies will not change.

6. What about external moderation and monitoring of school-based grades? Year 10 teachers are already familiar with the standards associated with Year 10 grades through the material on the Board’s Assessment Resource Centre (ARC) website. Moderation workshops will be conducted where groups of teachers work together to reinforce their understanding of the standards represented by each grade in Stage 5 courses.

7. What about external moderation and monitoring of school-based grades? Guidance will be provided early in Term 3 to schools about the pattern of grades in Stage 5 courses that could reasonably be expected based on historical data. The advice would take into account the relationship between the data and the subjects under consideration, and would provide tolerances for the likelihood that cohorts may change and students will improve on earlier performances. The Board would expect schools to be guided by this pattern of grades as part of their internal moderation of grades awarded. The Board would also expect schools to apply their own knowledge of the particular circumstances in their school that might cause a deviation from the predicted pattern.

8. What about the reporting of extra-curricular activities? The Board will conduct a pilot scheme with a small number of volunteer schools in 2012.

9. What about literacy and numeracy testing? Optional literacy and numeracy tests will be available for school leavers. The tests will be taken online and will be available to students twice a year. The tests will not be available as whole cohort tests. They will be designed to provide schools leavers with a current supplementary assessment of these key skills.

10. Summary for 2012: Enter Year 10 students into their Stage 5 courses using Schools Online Continue to administer school-based assessments to Year 10 as per the current guidelines Prepare to enter grades for Year 10 students by 30 November 2012. The Board will provide you with more information on how to do this through the year.

11. For further information: Subscribe to the Board Bulletin for updates throughout 2012 Contact the Board of Studies NSW if you need more information on 9367 8445.