Moderation
Comparability between schools occurs when the same result in the same course unit or subject means the same standard across the state. Moderation helps ensure comparability of school numerical assessments and grades. This in turn helps to ensure fairness of marking and grading for students. It also maintains the credibility of school numerical assessments and grades, which is significant as it influences students’ prospects for further education, training and/or employment.
The basis of establishing comparability is:
- Syllabus documents which clearly indicate to schools the knowledge, skills and understandings that should be taught statewide.
- Assessment requirements that schools must meet in terms of assessment types and weightings.
- Teachers having a common understanding of the standards to be applied in the course unit.
- Statistical adjustment of school numerical scores based upon performance in the external examination.
To achieve comparability, the Curriculum Council provides:
- a quality syllabus for each course unit or subject, which clearly specifies the content and assessment requirements
- the criteria for assigning a grade for each course unit or subject
- quality assessment support materials for teachers
- assessment seminars for teachers
- a moderation process involving consensus moderation meetings and school moderation validations/visits.
Last Updated:
12/ 06/
2009 15:06
