From the Leader of Learning

Assessment and Reporting in Stages 4 & 5

In the last newsletter, I wrote about how the New South Wales Education Authority (NESA) requires NSW teachers to determine students’ grades in Stages 4 and 5 (Years 7 to 10). This article will explain the common grade scale and course performance descriptors and how teachers use them to determine your daughter’s grades that will be reported at the end of this semester.

The Common Grade Scale and Course Performance Descriptors

The common grade scale is a standardized NSW framework that allows teachers to evaluate student performance consistently across different schools and subjects. It ensures fairness, transparency, and reliability in the grading process, providing a shared language for teachers, students, and parents to understand and interpret grades meaningfully.

The common grade scale comprises five levels, ranging from A to E. Each level has specific criteria that help determine the appropriate grade for your daughter. These criteria are aligned with the curriculum outcomes and syllabus documents for each subject, ensuring that students are evaluated based on their progress and mastery of the subject matter and skills.

For Stage 5 students, course performance descriptors provide detailed descriptions of the skills, knowledge, and understanding expected from students at each grade level. They clarify the specific requirements for achieving each grade, helping teachers make informed judgments about your daughter’s performance. These descriptors are aligned with the common grade scale (A to E).

Stage 5 Mandatory History Course Performance Descriptors

In our Assessment Handbooks, each subject has a grid that details the grade scale.

It is important to remember that the common grade scale and course performance descriptors should be used to determine a grade. While they provide a framework for grading, they should not overshadow the holistic understanding of your daughter’s growth and development. This is why, as noted in the last newsletter, teachers consider various assessment methods and provide ongoing feedback to support your daughter’s learning and progress. They use a range of evidence to determine a student’s grade. Formal assessment tasks are only one piece of evidence to determine a grade. Learning activities and teacher observation are also used as evidence in determining a student’s grade.

As parents, we encourage you to familiarize yourself with the common grade scale and course performance descriptors, enabling you to effectively support your daughter’s education. By working together, we can create an environment that fosters growth, recognizes achievement, and nurtures a love for learning.