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STYLE | education 27<br />
The whole idea of NCEA was that more students could come<br />
out of school with some sort of qualification. To pass each level,<br />
students must gain a certain number of credits at that level<br />
or above. Credits are awarded through students passing unit<br />
standards or achievement standards. Each subject is made up of<br />
multiple standards, for example, mathematics at Level 1 is made<br />
up of 13 achievement standards, including separate standards for<br />
algebra, geometry, trigonometry, statistics and probability.<br />
Like many assessment systems, NCEA is administered both<br />
internally and externally throughout the school year, usually by<br />
exams held at the end of the year. A certain amount of credits<br />
are required to pass a subject, a year level, and then university<br />
entrance requirements.<br />
NCEA has come under criticism for teaching to a matrix and<br />
using a flawed group marking system. Some students and teachers<br />
say it’s easy to manipulate the system and know what the markers<br />
are looking for as to opposed to thinking about how to best<br />
answer the question.<br />
But supporters of NCEA say it has improved the lives of our<br />
young people. It has stopped many students coming out of high<br />
school with a ‘fail rate’ and it gives everyone a chance to develop<br />
skills.<br />
Former Burnside High School student and education advocate,<br />
Alex Tapper, says NCEA has some big issues. She says it’s good<br />
for some students, like those who may have an ongoing illness or<br />
have a large extracurricular workload “because they can tailor their<br />
internal assessments around outside commitments”. Also, Alex<br />
says it works for students who aren’t academically inclined.<br />
Alex Tanner<br />
Supporters say NCEA has stopped<br />
many students coming out of high<br />
school with a ‘fail rate’.<br />
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