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Trial of optional Notification Gateway for Special Assessment Conditions (SAC) - A2023/10

To:

Principal

Principal’s Nominee

SENCO

Learning Support Coordinator

All Teachers

On this page

Background

One of seven key areas in the Government’s NCEA Change package programme is ‘Make NCEA more accessible’.

The Ministry and NZQA are working towards three objectives:

  1. Coherently use Universal Design for Learning to strengthen the inclusive design of NCEA assessment processes and associated systems, tools, and resources.
  2. Transition from the current approvals model of SAC to a more equitable, responsive and sustainable notifications model – to align with the progressive roll out of the new standards.
  3. Enable schools and kura to strengthen their own capability in the inclusive design of teaching and assessment in NCEA supported by timely access to learning support services.

A review of SAC found that the current system is mana-diminishing and disempowering, unsustainable and out-of-step with our shared vision for quality teaching, learning and assessment practice. The introduction of this trial acknowledges the findings of the review and gives effect to the second objective.

SAC Applications

When making new SAC applications for students attempting NCEA Level 1 standards in 2024, schools can choose either the current Approvals Gateway to submit applications for NZQA approval, or the new Notifications Gateway to inform NZQA of student needs and what SAC is required.

If the trial Notifications Gateway is used, NZQA approval is not needed, and supporting evidence will not need to be submitted

The use of the Notifications Gateway should significantly decrease the current administrative load for schools and kura when submitting SAC applications.

Schools will continue to submit applications for Level 2 and 3 students via the existing Approvals Gateway during the trial period.

What schools need to know

  1. A trial Notifications Gateway will be available for schools and kura making new SAC applications for students attempting Level 1 standards in 2024.
  2. The date when the Notifications Gateway will be available for schools and kura to access will be confirmed soon; but will not be before 1 October 2023.
  3. Training material will be published on NZQA’s website when the Notifications Gateway option is available. Existing support by the NZQA SAC Team will continue.
  4. The Notifications Gateway will be optional for schools and kura to use. The current Approvals Gateway can still be used for any applications at the school’s or kura discretion – for example if the SENCO is new or inexperienced, or in any cases where a decision by NZQA is preferred.
  5. All applications for students in Years 12 and 13 must use the current Approvals Gateway in 2024.
  6. A SAC application is not required (through either gateway) for students who are only completing assessments for the NCEA co-requisite for literacy, numeracy, te reo matatini and te pāngarau in 2024. Schools and kura should provide support for these students as appropriate. However, if a school or kura requires certainty, a SAC application may be submitted.
  7. During the trial period, NZQA may audit the use of the Notifications Gateway to ensure that submissions are appropriate to the needs of the student. An outcome of an audit could be to require applications to be submitted using the Approvals Gateway only.
  8. During the trial, NZQA reserves the right to restrict access to the Notifications Gateway if required. This could be done either at a school or kura level, or for certain categories of SAC applications. 

What schools and kura need to keep doing

Schools and kura need to continue to:

  1. identify students with learning or other difficulties that impact on fair assessment, and to determine what SAC support is appropriate.
  2. design inclusive environments influenced by knowledge of students.
  3. discuss the option of SAC with students and their whānau.
  4. gather evidence of ākonga needs.
  5. use one of the gateways to tell NZQA what SAC students require.
  6. monitor ākonga progress and trial supports as needed.

Information for kaiako, ākonga and whānau

The Ministry of Education has produced two short overview documents with more information. Please feel free to draw from these (and edit or contextualise them for your own school) if you would like to share information about the trial with your teachers/kaiako, students/ākonga and their whānau.

Download information for teachers/kaiako in Te Reo Māori (external link)

Download information for teachers/kaiako in English (external link)

Download information for students/ākonga and whānau in Te Reo Māori (external link)

Download information for students/ākonga and whānau in English (external link)

Enquiries

Please refer any enquiries relating to this circular to your School Relationship Manager.

School Relationship Manager
School Quality Assurance and Liaison
Telephone: 04 463 3000
Email: firstname.lastname@nzqa.govt.nz

Circulars are available from the New Zealand Qualifications Authority website
(http://www.nzqa.govt.nz/circulars (external link))