Planning for Stage 2 of the SACE What

Planning for Stage 2 of the SACE What you need to know

Stage 2 or Year 12 § Stage 1 of the SACE is generally completed in Year 11. § Stage 2 is generally completed in Year 12. This can vary between schools and students.

The final stage of the SACE § Preparation and qualification for further learning – university and TAFE. § Developing skills in self-directed learning, project management, analysing information. § Opportunities to specialise and begin transition to work or further study.

Stage 2 requirements

Stage 2 requirements § At least 60 credits of Stage 2 subjects or courses (and all other SACE requirements). § Research Project (10 credits). § A C- grade or higher for Stage 2 requirements. § Most students complete more than 70 credits at Stage 2.

Additional choices § To complete the SACE, students can choose from a range of other Stage 1 or Stage 2 subjects or courses (90 credits). § Students must achieve a grade in these subjects or courses to gain the SACE.

SACE credits

Stage 2 / Year 12 assessment § Performance standards define the five grades of achievement from A to E. § Performance standards at grade describe the knowledge, skills, and understanding needed to demonstrate that level of learning. § All SACE teachers and assessors mark with reference to the performance standards. § Performance standards are listed in subject outlines on the SACE website.

Assessment § In Stage 2 or Year 12, student work is graded from A+ to E§ Teachers assess 70% of student work, and 30% is assessed by the SACE Board

School assessment – 70% § A sample of student work from every school is sent to the SACE Board for checking. § Assessment experts check to ensure grades are accurate, fair and comparable with other SACE students. § Sometimes grades are adjusted through this process which is called ‘moderation’.

External assessment – 30% § The SACE Board marks the externally assessed component of all subjects. § These assessments can be written or oral examinations, investigations or performances. § Most exams take place in October and November. § The exam timetable is available on the SACE website early each year.

The Research Project § All SACE students study the Research Project. § A chance to investigate a topic of interest in depth. § Students develop skills in planning, research, analysis, and communication. § Tertiary-style study; skills valued by employers.

Research Project A or B The Research Project is split into three sections and each is worth a different percentage of the final grade. Research Project A Research Project B Folio 30% Research Outcome 40% Review 30% Folio 30% Research Outcome 40% Evaluation 30%

Research Project A or B § Research Project B can count towards the ATAR; Research Project A cannot. § In Research Project A students may present their review in written format (1500 words) or through a 10 -minute presentation. § In Research Project B students must present an evaluation in written format (1500 words).

Research Project capabilities Students choose one or more of seven capabilities to relate to their Research Project: § Literacy § Critical and creative thinking § Numeracy § Personal and social capability § Information and communication technology capability § Ethical understanding § Intercultural understanding

Research questions can relate to interests and passions Jack explored how to get into a competitive Counter Strike team Emily researched how to set up and develop a successful small business Carly questioned if personal environment contributes to one’s wellbeing

Other subjects and courses

Recognised learning § The SACE recognises learning in and outside school, for example: § vocational education and training courses (VET) § university and TAFE courses § community learning.

Vocational education and training (VET) § Students can undertake hands-on learning in a workplace setting and get a head start on a career. § They learn on-the-job skills while working towards both the SACE and a VET qualification. § Students can gain up to 150 of their 200 SACE credits at Stage 1 and/or Stage 2 from VET.

University, TAFE and other courses § Students who complete a Certificate III or higher may count the qualification towards their ATAR. § The SACE also recognises university studies, and interstate and overseas senior secondary school qualifications.

Community learning § Students can count up to 90 credits of community learning at Stage 1 or Stage 2. § Programs such as the Duke of Edinburgh’s Award, Country Fire Service Training, and Australian Music Exams are recognised. § Students may also receive credits for playing sport at an elite level, acting as a carer, or gaining a pilot’s licence.

Results § Year 12 results are usually available before Christmas – online and in the mail. § Students need their PIN and SACE registration number to access their results on the Students Online section of the SACE website. § Students should check they can log in, and check their address is up to date, prior to exams and final assessments.

Results § Students who qualify for a Tertiary Entrance Statement can access their Australian Tertiary Admission Rank (ATAR) and TAFE SA Selection Score online. § Students also receive this information in the mail from the South Australian Tertiary Admissions Centre (SATAC).

Beyond school

Australian Tertiary Admission Rank (ATAR) § Measures a student’s overall achievement compared with other students. § Used by universities to select students for university courses. § Ranges from 0 to 99. 95. § Calculated from university aggregate – based on 90 credits of SACE Stage 2 for entry in 2018.

Applying for 2018 university entry To be eligible, students will need to have: § completed the SACE with at least 90 credits at Stage 2 § gained an ATAR § gained a university aggregate § met any prerequisite subject requirements § complied with rules regarding subject combinations and counting restrictions.

Applying for TAFE § SACE meets TAFE SA Course Admission Requirements for most courses. § TAFE SA considers other qualifications and experiences.

Applying for TAFE § See the Tertiary Entrance 2017, 2018, 2019 booklet. § Published by the South Australian Tertiary Admissions Centre (SATAC), and provided to schools. § Visit www. satac. edu. au and www. tafesa. edu. au.

Individual circumstances

Special provisions § Available if an illness, disability or unforeseen circumstance significantly impacts a student’s ability to participate in an assessment. § To apply, student must provide evidence of impact. § More information is on the SACE website under Schools > Special Provisions (minisite).

Students with a disability § Modified subjects are offered at Stage 1 and Stage 2 for students with identified intellectual disabilities. § Studying a modified subject gains credits towards the SACE but not a grade for the subject. Achievement is recorded as ‘Completed’. § Any modified subjects a student has studied are identified on their SACE certificate.

Interstate/ overseas/ adult students § The SACE Board grants status for equivalent learning gained from appropriate qualifications, subjects, courses or learning experiences. § Further information available on the SACE website under the ‘Students’ section.

Further information

achieve handbook § Copies of the Stage 2 edition of the achieve handbook available for all Year 11 students. § Useful during course counselling for Year 12. § Parents encouraged to read achieve with students to discuss options and plans.

Further information § Visit the SACE website – particularly the ‘Students’ and ‘Learning’ sections: www. sace. sa. edu. au. § Read a copy of the achieve handbook (Stage 1 or Stage 2 edition). § Talk to teachers and the SACE coordinator at your school.