Qualifications are changing Curriculum Update Event – Stirling Management Centre Thursday 27 th Sept Sciences

New National Qualifications Support learning – assessment follows the curriculum Support aims, purposes and principles of Curriculum for Excellence Provide progression from Experiences and Outcomes and maximizes curriculum continuity between levels Build on existing strengths of reputation, standards, reliability and validity of Scottish qualifications Provide more flexibility and choice

Assessment supporting learning Use of Assignments to assess Added Value Units Use of Assignments to assess application of skills in Course Assessments Question Papers focusing on application of knowledge, understanding and skills

Whats different? Qualifications are more skills based than before – includes application of knowledge and understanding Unit Outcomes are broad-based, leaving flexibility for combining or integrating assessment where appropriate Introduction of Non-question paper component to National 4, 5 & Higher Courses

Engagement Local Authorities, HEIs and Colleges Subject specialists and professional associations Learner engagement CARG / QDT / SWGs CfE Liaison Team Have your say?

National Qualifications SCQF Level Biology, Chemistry, Physics Human BiologyEnvironmental Science Science 7Advanced Higher 6Higher 5National 5 4National 4 3National 3 Science Subjects

Sciences Key messages All Science Courses have been designed to progress from the Sciences Experiences and Outcomes and are based on their subject Progression Framework The Courses are benchmarked against SCQF levels 2-6 (current Access 2, Access 3, Standard Grade, Intermediate 1, Intermediate 2 and Higher qualifications) Content has been reviewed and revised Course and Unit Support Notes will be updated as appropriate Question paper and assignment incorporated into Course assessment for Psychology, Sociology and Philosophy Assignment/Project as Course Assessment for Care and Childcare and Development Courses Performance and Portfolio as Course assessment for PE

Sciences Key messages continued… Common approach taken across all Sciences: –Unit Outcomes, Assessment Standards and Evidence Requirements have been reviewed and refined –Unit Outcomes are common across the levels –If a Unit is being done as part of a Course, there are opportunities for transfer of evidence to occur for Outcome 1 across the Units –Differentiation between levels can be found in the Assessment Standards and the Evidence Requirements. –Added value is assessed through an Assignment at National 4 and a Question Paper and Assignment at National 5 and Higher

Next Steps Production of Assessment Support materials –Specimen Question Paper, Assignment and Marking Instructions (National 5) –Specimen Assignment and Marking Instructions (National 4 AV Unit) –3 Unit assessment exemplar packages (National 3- 5) will be published Package 1: Unit-by-Unit assessment (31/10/12) Package 2: Unit-by-Unit assessment-alternative forms of evidence (28/2/13) Package 3: Portfolio approach (30/4/13) Continued development of CfE Advanced Higher