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Myths
- All students within a course must be assessed against the same standards.
- All students should be assessed against every standard offered in a course.
- A course must contain no more than 24 credits and no less than 14 credits.
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Facts
- Students need a total of 80 credits for each NCEA qualification: 60 credits plus the 20 credit NCEA co-requisite requirement.
- Assessment programmes can be personalised to meet individual student needs. Some students may undertake less assessment, while others undertake more according to their abilities, needs and goals.
- Not everything needs to be assessed.
- The National Curriculum details what may be taught, but not everything needs to be assessed. Too much assessment can get in the way of learning.
- Schools should work with students and whānau to decide on the number of credits assessed in a year, by a student or group of students.
- Teaching and learning programmes should allow students to be assessed when they are ready.
- Assessment programmes should give students the opportunity to demonstrate their learning.
Factors that might determine the amount of assessment
- Your school's assessment policy.
- Student and staff workload and wellbeing.
- The ways evidence of achievement can be gathered.
- The number of credits needed to gain a qualification, course endorsement, Vocational Pathways Award, University Entrance or other tertiary entrance requirements.