Manuals and Guides
The documents, manuals, reports and guidelines to be found here...
- ACACA
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- ACACA Conference, Sydney, 2001
- ACACA - Leaving School in Australia
- ACACA - Curriculum Trends in Australia
- Board of Studies NSW documents
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- Annual Reports
- Syllabus Development Handbook
- Syllabus Development Process
- FOI Summary of Affairs of the Office of the Board of Studies NSW
- Masters Report - Fair and Meaningful Measures?
- Statement of Equity Principles
- Board Endorsed Courses
- Credentialing
- Home Education
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- Home Education Study
- Home Education Consultation Report
- Home Education in NSW Information Package
- HSC and SC
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- Guide to the School Certificate: Rules and Procedures for Students
- Advice to Students, Parents and Teachers - HSC Assessment and Submitted Works
- Calculators for use in the Higher School Certificate Examinations and School Certificate Tests
- Equipment checklist for the Higher School Certificate Examinations and School Certificate Tests
- HSC Assessment in a Standards-Referenced Framework – A Guide to Best Practice
- HSC Distinction Courses – An Information Booklet
- HSC English Prescribed Areas of Study, Electives and Texts
- HSC Performances and Submitted Works – Advice to Schools Regarding Content
- New ‘Standards-Based’ Higher School Certificate Brochure
- Preliminary Entries for the New Higher School Certificate
- Recognition of Prior Learning for the Higher School Certificate
- Rules and Procedures for Higher School Certificate Candidates
- NSW HSC On-Line
- Presentations for parent information evenings
- Studying for the NSW Higher School Certificate – An Information Booklet for Year 10 Students
- Special Examination Provisions for the School Certificate Tests and HSC Examinations
- Mathematics
- Overseas Recognition
- Registration
- Research and Reference
- Other
ACACA
ACACA Conference, Sydney, 2001
The annual conference of the Australasian Curriculum, Assessment and Certification Authorities was held in Sydney in July 2001. The conference centred on the theme: "Bringing Assessment and Curriculum Issues Together". Copies of papers presented at the conference are provided here.
ACACA - Leaving School in Australia
A guide to Year 12 Certificates and Tertiary Entrance Requirements in Australia. Published by the Board of Studies NSW for the Australian Curriculum, Assessment and Certification Authorities (ACACA). This website summarises the types of subjects, courses and various methods of assessing and reporting student achievement in each of the eight public education systems in Australia. It also describes the certificates and other records of achievement issued to students when they complete their senior secondary education and outlines the minimum requirements for tertiary entrance.
ACACA - Curriculum Trends in Australia in 2000
This website is published by the Board of Studies NSW for the Australian Curriculum, Assessment and Certification Authorities (ACACA) Compulsory Years of Schooling Group which was established in 1998 to provide an Australian forum for the consideration of curriculum, assessment and certification issues in the compulsory years of schooling. A survey seeking information on aspects of the curriculum in the compulsory years was distributed to each state/territory in Australia in April 2000. The survey sought information on four areas: Standards and Benchmarking, Middle Years of Schooling, Vocational Learning and Reporting at the end of the Compulsory Years. The responses from each state/territory are provided on this website.
Board of Studies NSW documents
The Board of Studies NSW Syllabus Development Handbook
This Handbook has been developed to provide an outline of the process of syllabus development and revision. It has been designed principally for those involved directly through Board committees in the process of curriculum development. It includes sections on the operation of the Board of Studies, procedures for syllabus development, the components of a syllabus and administrative information for project members.
- Syllabus Development Handbook
- updated 28 Aug 2006
The Board of Studies NSW Syllabus Development Process
The Board of Studies is committed to a syllabus development process that provides opportunities for consultation, establishes achievable timelines and ensures quality syllabuses.
The process, using a project management approach, involves four phases:
- Syllabus review
- Writing brief development
- Syllabus development
- Implementation.
The process is described on the following pages.
FOI Summary of Affairs of the Office of the Board of Studies NSW
The Summary of Affairs of the Office of the Board of Studies NSW under the Freedom of Information ACT, 1989.
Masters Report - Fair and Meaningful Measures?
The Board of Studies NSW has considered the Masters Review into the New Higher School Certificate examination program: Fair and Meaningful Measures? and voted to adopt all 20 recommendations. The Board commissioned Professor Geoff Masters, Executive Director, Australian Council for Educational Research, to undertake the review.
The report is copyright free to schools and school organisations.
- Board of Studies NSW Action Plans
- Related to the Recommendations in the Masters Report
Statement of Equity Principles
This Statement of Equity Principles provides a guide to writers of syllabuses, support materials and assessment guidelines in developing materials which relate to two of the Board's corporate objectives:
- to develop high quality courses and support materials for primary and secondary education suited to the needs of the full range of students;
- to assess student achievement and award credentials of international standards to meet the needs of the full range of students.
The Statement of Equity Principles is derived from the Board's Statement of Values (pp 2-3) which was endorsed by the Board in 1994. The Statement of Equity Principles serves to elucidate the Statement of Values from an equity perspective.
A PDF is also available for download:
Board Endorsed Courses
Board Endorsed Courses Guidelines and Application Forms Booklet – School Developed
Schools who wish to submit School Developed Course proposals for endorsement by the Board need to download these files for Stage 5 and 6 courses commencing in 2010. Closing date for submissions is 3 April 2009.
For further information or assistance with obtaining these forms, please contact your BOSLO.
- School Developed Board Endorsed Courses - Guidelines for Course Proposals
- Updated 5 March 2009
- Stage 5 Application for a School Developed Board Endorsed Course
- Also available in Word format
- Updated 5 March 2009
- Stage 6 Application for a School Developed Board Endorsed Course
- Also available in Word format
- Updated 5 March 2009
- Application for Group Endorsement
- Updated 5 March 2009
Board Endorsed Courses in the New Higher School Certificate – University Developed
In recent years increasing numbers of university courses have been offered as Board Endorsed Courses. Board Endorsed courses provide the opportunity to extend the curriculum in areas not covered by Board Developed Courses. For example, they may be designed to meet local needs of students or provide enrichment of a subject area.
- General Information, Guidelines and Application Form
- Also available in Word format
- Application for Extension of a Currently Endorsed University Developed Course
- Also available in Word format
Stage 6 Board Endorsed VET Courses – Guidelines and Application Forms
All locally designed VET course proposals, including proposals for courses to be delivered by TAFE NSW or other providers outside the school, must be submitted for Board endorsement annually.
- Guidelines for Stage 6 Board Endorsed VET Courses
- Application forms for Stage 6 Board Endorsed VET Courses
For any enquiries, please call the VET Curriculum team on +61 2 9367 8177
Credentialing
Equivalent Qualifications
Explains how to obtain a Statement of Equivalence (to New South Wales school level awards) for your secondary education qualifications from other Australian States and Territories or from overseas countries.
- Guidelines for Accelerated Progression
- Revised 2000
All children need to receive an education that takes account of their special characteristics as learners.
Gifted students possess such superior intellectual abilities and potential for outstanding achievement in comparison with the total student population that, like other groups, they need differentiated educational opportunity if they are to realise their unique potential.
Replacement Certificates
Explains how to obtain a statement to replace lost or mislaid New South Wales Intermediate Certificates, Leaving Certificates, Higher School Certificates, School Certificates and Year 11 Records of Achievement.
Report on Data Collection for School Certificate Credentialing for Students with Special Education Needs in Stage 5 (1996)
As at June 2000, the Board's decided that School Certificate Credentialing for Students with Special Education Needs in Stage 5 should be subject to routine data collection in accordance with the procedures established in the revised syllabus development process.
Home Education
Home Education Study
The research was commissioned to assist the Government to evaluate the suitability of the requirements for home schooling registration amongst home educators and other interested groups.
It is anticipated that the research will lead to recommendations on:
- whether or not the introduction of regulations should be considered
- if administrative requirements are preferred to regulations, what a revised set of requirements might include
- the process by which compliance with regulations or requirements will be monitored.
Home Education Consultation Report
The Office of the Board of Studies was requested to consult with home educators on the suitability of the requirements for registration for home schooling and whether regulations would be desirable.
The Office worked with a group of home educators to develop a process for consultation. Information packages were sent to all registered home educators during this phase and invitations were extended for written submissions from interested organisations.
In 1999, Taylor Nelson Sofres, an independent research company, was commissioned to conduct this key consultation activity. The company worked with home educators to develop and pilot a survey that was distributed in February 2000 to all registered home educators and other interested parties.
This report incorporates both qualitative and quantitative data obtained from the respondents.
Home Education Consultation Report (PDF)
Also available in Word format
Home Education in NSW Information Package
The Home Education Information Package is intended to provide a description of the steps to be followed when applying for registration for Home Education and to assist parents/guardians in preparing to home educate their child/children. The package also contains an application for registration for Home Education.
Home Education Information Package (PDF)
HSC and SC
Presentations for parent information evenings
These Powerpoint presentations will assist schools holding parent information evenings about the NSW Higher School Certificate and School Certificate. The presentations explain the mandatory curriculum requirements for the School Certificate and the HSC, as well as standards-based assessment processes.
- The NSW Higher School Certificate Information for Year 10 Students and Parents (PowerPoint; 416 KB)
- Published 17 August 2009
- School Certificate Requirements Credentials (PowerPoint; 1.1 MB)
- Published 17 August 2009
Guide to the School Certificate: Rules and Procedures for Students
It is important that all students who will be undertaking the School Certificate Tests read the following information carefully.
Advice to students, parents and teachers – HSC Assessments and Submitted Works
View copies of pamphlets that will assist students in completing their assessments tasks and independent research projects honestly and with confidence. Also available are copies of an HSC Student Declaration form, HSC Confirmation of Entry form and the booklet Rules and Procedures for 2006 HSC candidates.
- Advice to students – HSC Assessments and Submitted Works
- Also available as a PDF pamphlet
- Advice to parents – HSC Assessments and Submitted Works
- Also available as a PDF pamphlet
- Advice to teachers – HSC Assessments and Submitted Works
- Also available as a PDF pamphlet
- Updated example of Student Declaration form (Music Composition cover sheet 4)
- Updated example of Confirmation of Entry form
- Copy of the text of the Student Declaration on the Confirmation of Entry form
- Advice to students, parents and teachers brochure in Community Languages
- Arabic
- Traditional Chinese
- Simplified Chinese
- Korean
- Spanish
- Turkish
- Vietnamese
Calculators for use in the Higher School Certificate Examinations and School Certificate Tests
- The list of the approved scientific calculators for the HSC Examinations can be found here.
- Information on calculators for use in the General Mathematics HSC Examination and SC Tests can be found here.
HSC Assessment in a Standards-Referenced Framework – A Guide to Best Practice
This booklet has been produced to assist schools and teachers in designing and implementing good policies and procedures for the Higher School Certificate Assessment Program. It will also assist in the evaluation of the effectiveness of current practices.
This booklet builds on earlier documents in this field, HSC Assessment Checklist (1998), HSC Assessment a Guide to Developing Procedures in Schools (1997), and The New Higher School Certificate Assessment Support Document (1999), and is consistent with the requirements of the current syllabuses and the standards-referenced approach to assessing student achievement.
- HSC Assessment in a Standards-Referenced Framework – A Guide to Best Practice
- Also available in PDF format (without colour cover)
HSC Distinction Courses – An Information Booklet
Please see the HSC Syllabuses support materials section
HSC English Prescribed Areas of Study, Electives and Texts
HSC English Prescribed Areas of Study, Electives and Texts for the English (Standard) Course, English (Advanced) Course, English (ESL) Course, and the English Extension 1 Course.
There is also a poster version available for download.
HSC Performances and Submitted Works – Advice to Schools Regarding Content
The New ‘Standards-Based’ Higher School Certificate Brochure
Questions covered include:
- How is the New HSC stronger and fairer?
- How will students know the standard they have reached?
- How will students know what the standards are? and
- How will the New HSC examinations help students to perform at their best?
- The New Standards-based Higher School Certificate (PDF)
- Published 14 May 2001
Mathematics
Mathematics Stage 6 Review and Development Project – Report on Syllabus Review (March-December 2006)
A plan for the review and development of NSW Stage 6 Mathematics courses has been endorsed by the Board of Studies.
The Board’s Mathematics Stage 6 Review and Development Project commenced in 2006. This document reports on the strategies used to gather data in the first phase of the Syllabus Review project.
Mathematics Stage 6 Literature and Curriculum Review
A critical analysis of selected Australian and international mathematics syllabuses for the post-compulsory years of secondary schooling. Prepared for the NSW Board of Studies by Mary Coupland, PhD, MAustMS Department of Mathematical Sciences University of Technology, Sydney.
These materials are provided for research purposes and may contain opinions that are not shared by the Board of Studies NSW.
Mathematics Stage 6 Symposium Proceedings
Held at Georges River College, Oatley Senior Campus, Saturday 19 August 2006.
Overseas Recognition
Overseas Recognition
Manual for the recognition of schools outside NSW to present candidates for the NSW School Certificate and/or Higher School Certificate. This document contains the Expression of Interest and application forms and the criteria used for the assessment of these forms.
Registration
Registered and Accredited Individual Non-government Schools (NSW) Manual and Registration Systems and Member Non-government Schools (NSW) Manual and Forms
Manuals
- Registered and Accredited Individual Non-government Schools (NSW) Manual (PDF)
- Updated November 2008
- Registration Systems and Member Non-government Schools (NSW) Manual (PDF)
- Updated November 2008
Forms
Applications and notifications with regard to registration and accreditation may be made using the Board's online facility, RANGS Online.
To access RANGS Online:
- go to the eBos Online Services menu located on the right side of the Board of Studies homepage
- click on RANGS
- on the RANGS welcome page click on the RANGS Online link
- enter your User ID and Password.
If you require advice or you are a new user please contact the Registration Unit on 02 9367 8432.
- Proformas for Document Scans for Individual Schools (PDF)
- Also available in Word format
- Updated 30 October 2008
- Proformas for Document Scans for System Member Schools (PDF)
- Also available in Word format
- Updated 30 October 2008
Further Information
Other
Assessment Certification and Examination (ACE) Manual
- Assessment Certification and Examination (ACE) manual (PDF)
- ACE manual with internal linking (PDF)
- Updated 20 Jan 2006
- This edition was produced following a comprehensive review of the 2002 ACE Manual. It provides information to teachers and schools regarding the requirements under the Education Act for School Certificate and Higher School Certificate.
Drug and Alcohol Education Resource List
Schools are provided with a range of resources to assist teachers to develop teaching and learning programs that meet the educational needs of their students. The following resources support the implementation of drug and alcohol education.
Drug and Alcohol Education Resource List (PDF)
Also available in Word format
Assessment Resource Centre
- Assessment Resource Centre (ARC) website
- The aim of this website is to support and enhance professional practice in the assessment and reporting of student achievement across Years K to 12. It has been developed primarily for teachers, although parents and students will also find it useful.
- Reporting using Grades FAQs (PDF)
- Standards-based assessing and reporting (PowerPoint).
K-12 Technology Statement Development
The Technology Statement K-12 broadly defines the continuum of learning in technology syllabuses K-12 and defines identified areas of study and elective syllabuses in the TAS KLA that appropriately address advances in technology.
- Report on the development of a K–12 Technology Statement (PDF)
- Published February 2002
Middle Years Literature Review
A report by Associate Professor Roslyn Arnold (University of Sydney, Faculty of Education)
- Middle Years Literature Review Part 1 (PDF)
- Also available in Word format
- Middle Years Literature Review Part 2 (PDF)
- Also available in Word format
Modern History Syllabus Stage 6 for Teachers
As a result of consultation and an analysis of feedback from the 2001 HSC examination, the Board of Studies wishes to advise teachers of Modern History of the following:
- Changes to Part II National Studies are identified in the Support Material for Modern History Stage 6 Syllabus Part B: The HSC Course, pages 7-8. This document is available in the Syllabuses and Support Documents section of this website. In particular, teachers’ attention is drawn to changes to National Study Option E: Germany 1918-1945. In the new syllabus, more emphasis is placed on the rise of Hitler to power in the 1930s and his consolidation of power, and less on the early period of Weimar government.
- Concepts, groups and events need to be integrated into the key features of the period. In Part II National Studies, the chosen personality also needs to be integrated into the key features where appropriate. Examination questions can target any section of the syllabus content.
In response to concern about possible ambiguity in relation to the wording of dot point 7 of the key features of World War I and its aftermath 1914-1921 (syllabus page 31): post-war soldier and civilian expectations of the government as a result of war experiences (Britain), the dates 1918-1919 will be included in the bracket. The dot point will now read:
- post-war soldier and civilian expectations of the government as a result of war experiences (Britain 1918-1919)
This will allow teaching and learning about the expectations of the Versailles Treaty, the ‘make Germany pay’ attitude, and Lloyd George’s ‘a home fit for heroes’ vision, without teachers needing to explore content related to the development of the welfare state in Britain.
This amendment to the syllabus is in the Board Bulletin.
The change will apply for the 2003 HSC examination.
Principles for developing examination specifications and assessment guidelines
In 2004, the Board of Studies developed a set of principles designed to assist syllabus writers in the development of internal assessment guidelines and examination specifications when developing or revising HSC courses.
NSW HSC On-Line
NSW HSC On-line is a valuable site for students and teachers. It is being developed as a joint venture by Charles Sturt University and the NSW
Department of Education and Training. The NSW Board of Studies, the Joint Council of NSW Professional Teachers' Associations are contributing to the
development of the site.
Preliminary Entries for the New Higher School Certificate
The curriculum reforms in the Governments White Paper, Securing Their Future, centred on improving curriculum standards through increasing the rigour and quality of the curriculum.
PDF format 27 pages (408k)
MS Word 97 format 27 pages (272k)
Recognition of Prior Learning for the Higher School Certificate
The Board of Studies uses the term Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL) as a generic term for the two mechanisms (credit transfer and advanced standing) by which the Board recognises formal or informal study and/or relevant life experience as contributing to the award of the Higher School Certificate.
PDF format 27 pages (204k)
MS Word 97 format 27 pages (204k)
Rules and Procedures for 2009 Higher School Certificate Candidates
- This booklet outlines the rules and procedures for the 2009 Higher School Certificate.
- Rules and Procedures for 2009 HSC Candidates (PDF, 21 pages, 155 KB)
- Published 1 December 2008
Special Examination Provisions for the School Certificate Tests and Higher School Certificate Examinations
Studying for the NSW Higher School Certificate – Information Booklet for Year 10 Students, 2009
- This booklet is for Year 10 students who are planning their Year 11 and Year 12 studies. It will also help anyone returning to school to finish Year 11 and Year 12.
- The information contained in this booklet is accurate at the time of publication. Schools will be notified of any changes to the rules and requirements.
- You should always check the Board of Studies website for the most up-to-date advice. Subscribe by email to Board of Studies News or NewsAtBOS on Twitter.
- Studying for the NSW HSC – Information Booklet for Year 10 Students, 2009 (PDF)
- Published 30 July 2009
The Board of Studies NSW Archives
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