UNDERSTANDING NCEA National Certificate of Educational Achievement

NCEA is for all students – for example, those heading for university or those planning an apprenticeship or job after leaving school

HISTORY National Certificates of Educational Achievement (NCEA) were introduced as New Zealand’s main secondary school qualifications between 2002 and They grew out of a long-term intention to establish standards for national qualifications and recognise a wider range of skills and knowledge. A new set of qualifications was needed to reflect the more flexible learning environments in our schools. NCEA was designed to challenge all students, including the most able and highly motivated. It was also designed to give schools the flexibility to develop a range of programmes to suit the specific needs of their students. NCEA has been reviewed and refined since its initial implementation in NCEA results now show a rich and accurate picture of a students’ skills and knowledge.

FEATURES IT IS FLEXIBLE IT INVOLVES A MIXTURE OF BOTH INTERNAL AND EXTERNAL ASSESSMENT INTERNAL ASSESSMENT IS MARKED BY TEACHERS THROUGHOUT THE YEAR EXTERNAL ASSESSMENT IS CARRIED OUT THROUGH NATIONAL EXAMINATIONS AT THE END OF THE YEAR

HOW TO GAIN NCEA  Each level of NCEA requires 80 credits, made up of a certain number of credits at certain levels.  Credits gained at one level can count towards more than one NCEA level qualification, and this can happen over more than one school year.  Level 1 literacy and numeracy requirements must be met to achieve NCEA Level 1, 2 and 3. This involves gaining a minimum of 10 credits in literacy and 10 credits in numeracy. These are achieved through English and mathematics but also through specific standards in other subjects

HOW TO GAIN NCEA NCEA Credits required Literacy and Numeracy credits required Level 180 credits at level 1 or above 10 literacy, 10 numeracy Level 2 80 credits 60 credits at level 2 or above plus 20 at any level 10 literacy, 10 numeracy (the same credits from level 1) Level 3 80 credits 60 credits at level 3 or above plus 20 at level 2 or above 10 numeracy, 10 literacy (the same credits from level 1) University Entrance  NCEA Level 3  Three approved subjects (at level 3 or above) made up of 14 credits each  10 numeracy credits at level 1 or above (in other words what was required to achieve level 1)  10 literacy credits at level 2 or above (5 credits in writing and 5 credits in reading)

HOW TO ACHIEVE STANDARDS When a student studies a subject like mathematics for example, their work is assessed against a set of standards. Each standard is worth a number of credits – usually between three and six.

There are two types of standards: Achievement Standards – these can be assessed by internal assessment AND external assessment. These standards are based on the New Zealand Curriculum Unit Standards – these can only be assessed internally. They usually assess a vocationally based skill.

LITERACY AND NUMERACY Literacy and numeracy requirements must be met to achieve NCEA. At Level One the requirement is 10 literacy and 10 numeracy credits. These can be achieved through English and Mathematics but they can also be achieved through other subjects. For example, Accounting, Music, Geography, Science etc.

ENDORSEMENT Students can gain: NCEA at Level 1, 2 or 3 endorsed with Merit or Excellence. This means they have gained 50 or more credits at merit or excellence throughout the year. Course endorsement - this means a student can gain, for example, History endorsed with excellence because they gained 14 or more credits at excellence throughout the year. At least three of those credits must be from internal assessment and three from external assessment. The exception is Physical Education (which is entirely internally assessed)

Vocational Pathways This is a tool that provides a clear framework for vocational options, linking education and future employment aspirations to six broad sectors of industry: Manufacturing and Technology Construction and Infrastructure Primary Industries Social and Community Services Service Industries Creative Industries

Vocational Pathways Award Provides formal recognition of a student’s completion of a particular pathway Students can receive more than one award if they complete more than one Vocational Pathway Students can show how their achievement relates to the learning or skills training employers are seeking The award can be viewed by all students when they login to their learner page of the NZQA website

HOW WORK IS ASSESSED Assessment measures student performance against standards. If the student’s work meets the requirements of the standard then the standard is achieved and credits awarded. Grades awarded can be either: N = Not Achieved A = Achieved M = Achieved with Merit E = Achieved with Excellence

NCEA RESULTS Students can access their results by logging in to the learner home page on the NZQA website. In June they will get a personalised card which will state their national student number and how to register on that learner page. This registration is important because this is how students can get their results in January of the following year.

HOW TO SUPPORT STUDY Attend parent teacher interviews Yr 11 Wednesday 13 th April Yr 12/13 Thursday 5 th May Know the internal assessment calendar and examination timetable. Note: the individual subject assessment statements for students were ed home in March but students can also view these dates on the schoology calendar

Practice and Benchmark Examinations Practice Examinations Week 5 Term Two Some departments use this time to assess internal standards so, for the student, some subjects will be a practice for external assessment and some subjects will be actual internal assessment

Benchmark Examinations Week 10 Term Three These are practices for the end of year examinations. They involve, in most cases, a three hour examination which will, as close as possible, replicate the end year examination. It is important that students understand that the grades awarded for these examinations may well be used for the awarding of a derived grade if the student is unable to sit the end of year examination due to illness, accident etc

Planning and tracking NCEA progress - NCEA Student App NZQA has developed a mobile App called ‘NCEA Student’ to help students plan their NCEA study programme, set goals and track their progress. The App is free and available from the iTunes and Google Play storesiTunesGoogle Play stores

App functionality enables the student to: Select and set their NCEA credit goals and targets See how they are tracking towards NCEA Levels one, two and three, including Literacy, Numeracy and University Entrance (UE) Set reminders for each standard such as when assignments are due Capture results as they are achieved and cross check with the school or NZQA Personalise with information such as NSN number or details about a course or standard (such as the teacher’s name or timetabled classroom)

The teaching experience "NCEA is hugely challenging for students. To achieve Excellence is far more demanding than a high mark was in the previous exam system. But the good thing is NCEA is utterly transparent – everyone knows what you have to do to get good grades." Julia Davidson, Principal of Wellington Girls College and Chair of New Zealand Principals’ Council "Less able students who would lack motivation if they were only assessed in a one off external exam, such as School Certificate, are engaged with NCEA as it provides opportunities to be assessed throughout the year." Principal, Lincoln High School "The NCEA has been designed as a unique New Zealand Qualification System which meets well the diverse learning needs of students. It is academically robust, internationally recognised and equips students for tertiary study and the world of work." Patrick Walsh, President of the Secondary Principals’ Association of New Zealand