Clarification details
Updated June 2016. This clarification has been updated in its entirety to address new issues that have arisen from moderation.
The purpose of clarifications
We create clarification documents to help people understand the current requirements of achievement standards. Clarifications do not introduce new criteria, change the intent of the standard, or change what we expect from assessment.
These documents unpack and explain the language and intent of the standard so people interpret and apply the standard consistently. We provide examples or guidance as illustrations only. They are not prescriptions or requirements.
For official requirements, always refer to the current version of the achievement standard as published by NZQA.
The specific branch of the religious tradition needs to be specified
For many religious traditions, there are broad terms, and then branches of the tradition that do not necessarily share the same beliefs. For example, Christianity is a broad term that covers many aspects of that religious tradition, but the different denominations within Christianity do not necessarily share the same beliefs as one another. It is important to clearly identify which branch of the religious tradition is being assessed, either for or by the student, during the assessment activity.
Analysing a religious tradition(s)
The analysis should relate to the contemporary situation. For example, an analysis and critical evaluation of the census data from Statistics New Zealand regarding religious affiliation could include:
- trends in the religious tradition(s) belief
- why religious affiliation is growing and/or decreasing in any particular religious tradition(s), or
- why more New Zealanders are expressing no affiliation to any religious tradition(s).
Wider implications
Students need to focus on at least two implications, and their selection could be determined by the components or essential features and factors of influence being analysed. All implications can be from within one or a combination of the suggested areas.