S2010/006 - 2 March 2010

Process for Making Applications for Special Assessment Conditions

Candidates with permanent or long-term conditions or learning disabilities which they believe will significantly impair their performance in internal assessment and specified external assessments, in particular written examinations, may apply to the New Zealand Qualifications Authority (NZQA) for an entitlement to Special Assessment Conditions in the current year. This includes candidates with physical disabilities as well as those with specific learning disabilities.

Schools can anticipate NZQA approval to provide appropriate Special Assessment Conditions for practice assessments for externally assessed standards and internally assessed standards that might be assessed before the application is processed. However, if an application is declined, schools should be aware that these results may become invalid.

Schools wishing to apply using alternative evidence should contact their School Relationship Manager for guidance before making an application.

Students entered only for internally assessed standards.

NZQA recognises that some schools may not be sufficiently prepared this year to make applications for students who will be assessed internally only and will not be entered for external assessment. While we would encourage all schools to make an application for entitlement, for 2010, schools may follow the processes they have previously used for candidates entered only for internal assessment. Schools in this position must inform their School Relationship Manager, who will provide advice and guidance on establishing systems for managing Special Assessment Conditions.

Where internal assessment is not time-bound or where the computer is the student’s normal means of working, it may be appropriate to provide students only entered for internal assessment with extra time and/or the use of a computer without the need to apply for Special Assessment Conditions. Confirm this with your School Relationship Manager.

At all times care must be taken to ensure that the provision of assistance does not compromise the validity of the standard or of any result reported by the school.

Please note that, where an application has not been made by the due date and subsequently approved, a candidate will not be eligible for Special Assessment Conditions for external assessment. Therefore, if a candidate might possibly be entered at a later time for an externally assessed standard, it would be advisable for the school to make an application by the due date.

From 2011, NZQA approval will be required before any Special Assessment Conditions can be offered for both internal and external assessment.

Step 1 (a): Application for entitlement to Special Assessment Conditions

By now schools should have:

• identified all likely candidates for special assessment conditions for 2010
• completed an annual needs analysis
• received new or updated reports from Level C assessors (if applicable).

Applications are now open and can be made on the Application for Entitlement to Special Assessment Conditions form (right) and these should be submitted as soon as possible before 1 May 2010 to the Special Assessment Conditions mailbox SAC@nzqa.govt.nz. Schools will be notified of the outcome of each candidate’s application, including those that have been declined.

Step 1 (b): Notification of status of applications

NZQA will send a tracking spreadsheet summarising applicant information and whether the applications have been approved or declined. Use this to track the status of your applications.

Step 2: Online applications for Special Assessment Conditions for external assessment for entitled candidate

Through their online facility, schools can specify the conditions required for candidates entitled to Special Assessment Conditions for individual externally assessed standards once the 1 May file has been processed.

Step 3: Final confirmation by schools of Special Assessment Conditions for externally assessed standards

Before the online facility closes on 16 August , schools must check and confirm that the applications made for each candidate are still appropriate, or make any necessary amendments. NZQA reserves the right to amend any applications which do not meet its criteria (e.g. applications for extra time for a candidate entered in only one external standard in a session).

Supporting Documentation

Special Assessment Guidelines

Best Practice Guidelines Summary and Timeline

Documentation requirements to support applications for Special Assessment Conditions

Screening Checklist for Identification of a Possible Specific Learning Difficulty for Special Assessment Conditions

Special Assessment Conditions Applications

Annual Needs Analysis

Home Supervision

Enquiries

A PDF copy of this Circular is available for download.

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

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Previous circulars

• 005 - 9 February 2010 - Key Dates for National Secondary School Qualifications 2010
• 004 - 2 February 2010 - School Information Collection 2010
• 003 - 27 January 2010 - Examination Period for 2011
• 002 - 19 January 2010 - Reviews and Reconsiderations
• 001 - 19 January 2010 - 2009 Results Release and Statistics

archive of previous circulars