Clarification details
Updated December 2020. The sections ‘Points of view, values and perspectives’ and ‘policy’, have been updated to address new issues that have arisen from moderation.
Evidence of individual participation
Students should take part in a social action, not just observe or report on one. Although group work is permitted, specific evidence must be provided of individual contribution to both planning and the social action. Evidence could be individually written reports (“I” statements help show individual participation), video or photographic diaries, signed witness/observer statements and/or any other method where information can be stored and retrieved.
Policy
The policy means a rule, a law, a strategy, a procedure, or a plan. Attempting to influence policy should be central to the social actions undertaken.
The policy should also be central to the ideas being examined when critically evaluating the effectiveness of the social action(s) - the Excellence criterion. Suggestions made of possible alternative social actions should directly link to how this would improve the outcome of the policy change being targeted.
Points of view, values and perspectives
For 91599, students must describe their own point of view, values and perspectives, as well as others. These points of view need to be considered in the student’s justification of the social action(s) chosen.
A document clarifying the requirements of ‘Points of view, values and perspectives’ for all internal Social Studies standards at levels 2 and 3, can be found below.
Clarification on points of view, values and perspectives
This includes looking at appropriate way to do surveys, questionnaires, interviews, or emailing. It also includes bias, plagiarism, checking accuracy of facts, and/or considering the legalities of the chosen social