Over the last few weeks, COVID-19 has presented us with an unprecedented challenge - across the education sector, but also for the Tasmanian and global communities together.
Subscribe now for unlimited access.
$0/
(min cost $0)
or signup to continue reading
Undoubtedly this has been an extremely complex time for our schools, colleges and all those working across education, and I can't thank my colleagues, principals, school leaders, staff and teachers enough for their leadership and commitment to providing a safe learning environment for our children and young people.
I understand that for Years 11 and 12 students in particular, this may be a more stressful time. I want to reassure these students and their families now that they will not be at a disadvantage as a result of COVID-19.
I want to reassure these students and their families now that they will not be at a disadvantage as a result of COVID-19.
We are working with all stakeholders, including the Office of Tasmanian Assessment Standards and Certification and the University of Tasmania to address issues that may affect the attainment of Tasmanian Qualifications Certificate, Tasmanian Certificate of Education and the calculation of ATAR scores.
Right now, our priority is the safety and wellbeing of our students and staff. However, we are all working together to monitor the situation, to ensure a coordinated response for the continued provision of high quality learning programs for students.
As always, the focus is on equity and fairness - ensuring that no student is disadvantaged as we consider short, medium and longer term options for internal and external assessment and final results, including the Tasmanian Certificate of Education for 2020.
I want to reassure senior secondary students and their families that if you meet the standards of the TCE, you will achieve it, with the knowledge that your senior secondary certificate is meaningful and comparable with those students who finished Year 12 in 2019.
We can confirm that at this stage TASC external assessments will proceed for Level 3 and Level 4 courses. We will provide students who are yet to achieve the Everyday Adult Standards in Reading, Writing and Communications in English, Mathematics and Use of the Computers and the Internet with opportunities to meet them later this year using online safety net tests for these three standards.
Investigations are underway regarding the assessment of practical courses such as Drama, Dance, Music and Outdoor Leadership, as well as community engagement or workplace requirements, and TASC will provide advice as soon as is practicable.
While we do not know what the immediate future looks like, the basic premise is if you meet the standards, you will still be able to achieve what you set out to this year. Whether that is accessing university, further education and training or employment; this will not change.
Keep learning, doing your assessments as advised by your school or training provider and most importantly look after yourself, whether you are at school or at home. Reach out to family, friends and your teachers, or speak to your school if you need support.
There is enormous goodwill between education sectors at this challenging time, with more than 40 Years 11 and 12 online resources for TASC courses are already available for teachers from all sectors of education to use.
A cross-sectoral and coordinated approach for specific senior secondary queries from teachers and principals, which includes liaison with TASC and other relevant VET stakeholders, is in place. In addition, professional learning across all senior secondary sectors is being provided.
It is crucial that we support all Tasmanian learners at this challenging time.
The Extension School program is complemented by Virtual Learning Tasmania, which enables access to contemporary online learning offerings for Years 11 and 12, no matter where students live. VLT is funded through the department to ensure that learners are able to access a wide range of courses. Through VLT, a number of teaching and learning resources have been created and I have also committed to sharing these resources with non-government schools to support the continuity of learning at this challenging time.
I am committed to ensuring that no student will be disadvantaged at this time, and that our students' critical Years 11 and 12 studies will not be adversely affected this year.