SATE frequently asked questions
Queensland Teachers' Journal, Vol 124 No 6, 16 August 2019, page no. 22
The introduction of the new senior assessment and tertiary entrance (SATE) system has prompted several members to raise queries over how it all works. These are the answers to some of the most commonly asked questions.
I’ve heard that with this new system we can’t share or plan assessment tasks. Tell me it isn’t so?
This is not the case. You are encouraged to work with colleagues in your school or others to share some teaching and assessment ideas around your subject. Keep in mind though that each school has a different context and is required to create a contextualised assessment specifically for its students to assist them achieve the best outcomes.
I am the only teacher of a senior subject in my school. How can I be sure I’m doing it right?
Teachers are being encouraged to more formally develop a “community of practice”. This is where teachers share information and assessment ideas and develop a shared understanding of the senior subject/s they are teaching. In fact, you are actively encouraged to develop and work with this community by the Queensland Curriculum and Assessment Authority (QCAA).
I’ve been told that I need to scan all of the year 11 assessments in case the QCAA want some for moderation? What the …!
The scanning of year 11 work is a new QCAA requirement for this year. So this is a change of practice for you in your school. As such, this could increase your workload and should be considered via your school LCC. Doing so allows allocation of additional resources if required. Following such consultation, this task could be done by other staff, including teacher-aides.
However, this requirement is not a systemic requirement, and your school should retain work according to the department’s retention and disposal schedule.
A review into your school’s assessment policy is encouraged to capture digital assessment practices, which might reduce double handling and excessive workload prior to the confirmation process.
How do I determine a student’s A-E grade when assessment tasks are not marked against the same standard?
Assessment decisions are your professional judgments. Professional conversations that you have will develop shared understanding in enacting this new senior system. To assist you further, you may find it useful to develop an informal network to share and develop knowledge with other teachers of your subject area.
What is going on with assessment?
Assessment, for endorsement, will be developed via an online website or app. Currently, you will be developing and assessing a number of assessment pieces per subject. Under the new system, there will only be two summative pieces of assessment per unit, which may mean one per term, depending on the requirements of the task. For general subjects, three of these summative pieces will be internal, with one being the external exam.
Sometimes, I feel I am constantly editing student work. How is this helping my workload and student outcomes?
As you know, a draft is a preliminary response of a student to an assessment item, and quality and quantity varies from student to student. Drafts are useful for us to provide feedback and to authenticate student work.
If your school does not already have one, a school-based drafting policy would be a good idea. Maybe, this could be developed through your LCC? The QCAA have strict guidelines on what feedback may be provided on an assessment piece to ensure assessment integrity, and this must be followed by teachers. The appropriate type and frequency of drafting is clearly outlined in each general subject syllabus document and in the QCAA handbook.