Source: Post Primary Teachers Association (PPTA)
Temporary changes to NCEA include the introduction of Learning Recognition credits, a decrease in number of credits for certificate and course endorsements, and an adjustment to University Entrance requirements.
You will have seen in the news that changes to NCEA for this year have been announced.
We are very pleased that PPTA’s unremitting advocacy has resulted in such a measured, timely and practical result. I hope you will see your feedback reflected in the new learning recognition credits.
The changes reach the right balance for teachers and learners, and will support planning for the rest of the year.
You can find the detail here: https://www.nzqa.govt.nz/about-us/news/ncea-and-university-entrance-changes-for-2020/
If you have any questions or concerns about what’s happening at your school, please get in touch with your field officer.
Implications of changes for teachers and schools
Emphasis should be on teaching and learning
Schools should now be focussing on adjusting courses as appropriate to accommodate the reduced credit requirements over the remainder of the year. There are several ways this could happen but not all of these would work for all students, nor indeed for all schools as there would be timetable implications for some options.
- A blanket reduction of credits across all courses may work for some students but may not provide the best opportunities for students to complete a cohesive programme.
- Reductions might happen for some students in some subjects and for other students in other subjects.
- Some students might be better to drop an entire subject rather than bits of each subject.
Schools will not need to run catch up classes to complete courses and assessments missed during the lockdown
If there are exceptional cases, (for example if there are particular pre-requisites at level 3 to meet university course entry requirements) and there remains a need for catch up work which cannot be accommodated by adjustments to the NCEA programme for the remainder of the year, then teacher participation in additional classes must be voluntary and cannot be a requirement.
- Payment from the Board of Trustees for additional hours can be sought under the overtime provisions of the STCA and ASTCA
- Teacher workload must be the first consideration and therefore relievers should be utilised wherever possible – or part time teachers picking up additional hours if appropriate.
- It is a breach of the PPTA code of professional ethics to offer additional tuition to another teacher’s students without the agreement of their regular teacher; and seek payment from your students for additional tutoring.
NCEA course changes
NCEA courses are likely to need to be adjusted for the remainder of this year to reflect the lower credit requirement for completion of level 1-3.
Subject Associations:
PPTA has approached the subject associations and asked them to:
1) Help teachers prioritise the key standards to offer and,
2) Where practicable encourage schools to reduce the number standards they offer
3) Provide resources and assessments for those standards
Subject Association links
https://trcc.org.nz/wp-content/uploads/2020/04/NEX-websites-March-2020.pdf
Change to school timetables
Some schools may decide to changes the school’s timetables to meet the needs of the students. Now that schools are largely back to normal any changes are subject to proper change management processes, which involve consultation with teaching staff.
Advice on educational change management (which is supported by STA and the Ministry of Education) is provided here: https://www.ppta.org.nz/dmsdocument/68
