2008/25391 THE WACE The WA Certificate of Education for students starting Year 11 in 2009

Features of WACE 52 courses Availability of VET programs Development of industry specific courses Endorsed programs 20 hours community service requirement from 2009

Features of WACE Helps schools cater for all students This includes students who:  are university-bound  are TAFE-bound  are planning to enter the workforce on leaving school  have special requirements or disabilities.

Graduation requirements course units or acceptable alternatives Average of C grade or better English language competence  complete four units of an English course  achieve the competence criteria Well-rounded program 20 hours of community service Sit for WACE examinations (unless exempt)

Courses Courses split into four stages – Preliminary, Stage 1, Stage 2 and Stage 3 P stage units cater for students with special needs (19 courses) Additional Stage 1 units (25 courses) Stages include combinations of units, which may be delivered as semester units or concurrently during the year Each unit is based on notional 55 hours Units become increasingly difficult at each stage

Vocational education and training Skills shortage means VET programs are more relevant than ever Students can begin training at school Options include school-based apprenticeships and School Apprenticeship Link program

Industry specific courses AutomotiveCreative Industries (Music) Business ServicesHospitality Community ServicesInformation Technology ConstructionPrimary Industries Creative Industries (Art)Sport and Recreation Creative Industries (Media)Tourism

Endorsed programs Endorsed programs provide areas of learning not covered by courses, e.g. Cadets WA, performance in school productions, examinations in music, speech and drama Endorsed programs can contribute up to 50 per cent of a student’s WACE requirements

Community service From 2009, students must complete 20 hours of community service Community service helps students develop leadership skills, social responsibility and citizenship Requirement can be completed over years 10, 11 and 12

Assessment and standards Grades are assigned by teachers at the end of each unit Grades: A–E mark out of 100 for all Stage 2 and Stage 3 units completed in Year 12

Examinations 2009 Compulsory for new courses Remaining tertiary entrance subjects unchanged Separate examinations for Stage 2 and Stage 3 unit pairs in the 21 new courses Practical and performance examinations for some courses

Examinations 2010 No more tertiary entrance examinations (TEE) All 52 courses will have compulsory examinations for Stage 2 and Stage 3 unit pairs Some courses will have practical or performance examinations

Exemptions from examinations Vocational education and training: Working towards completion of AQF VET Certificate I or higher and Enrolled in three or fewer Stage 2 and/or Stage 3 unit pairs Students studying six or seven unit pairs: Students only required to sit five examinations Notes: Exempt students may elect to sit examinations Examinations will not be held for Stage 1 units

Further information Curriculum Council website