| Abstract: | This paper reports on a recently completed study into assessment, reporting and certification for students completing Year 10 in Northern Territory schools. The study involved gathering quantitative and qualitative data from major stakeholders in the outcomes of Year 10 assessment, reporting and certification — students, parents, employers, senior school-based educators and senior TAFE/tertiary educators. The study itself followed from considerable local and national debate about student assessment, and sought to survey stakeholder perceptions of the main and subsidiary issues involved, so that these perceptions might act to inform the political decisions which eventually determine educational policies. The study involved the administration of a detailed questionnaire to individuals within each of the groups noted earlier, and follow-up interviews with sub-sets of each group to gain additional information and clarify a number of areas. Questionnaire items were analysed and within group responses checked for statistical significance. Recommendations arising from the original study were used to frame Government policy in respect of changes to Year 10 assessment for all Northern Territory students completing Year 10 from 1989 onwards. |
