The process for calculating year 12 scores could be adjusted to account for the disruptions caused to students by the coronavirus.
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Education ministers have discussed possible changes to the ATAR scoring system in 2020, as they attempt to soften the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on senior secondary students across the country.
It comes as the ACT government reveals it is working on a plan to ensure every public school student has internet access at home ahead of the move to online classes in term 2.
With students across the country preparing for an indefinite period of remote learning due to coronavirus, there is growing concern among year 11 and 12 students about how the disruptions might affect their final results.
Federal Education Minister Dan Tehan met with his state and territory counterparts via teleconference on Friday to consider advice on a national approach to assessing senior secondary students throughout the year.
A summary published online after the meeting showed ministers discussed possible changes to the way ATAR scores were calculated and presented, as well as how students were tested. "Adjustments" to university admission processes were also discussed, according to the summary.
The ministers agreed that the changes should "ensure equitable outcomes for all senior secondary students as they complete their schooling".
"Ministers agreed that it is important that no senior secondary student is disadvantaged," the summary read.
The ministers agreed to reconvene in April so they could "provide certainty to students, their families and teachers as soon as possible".
ACT Education Minister Yvette Berry said the question of how ATAR scores and university admissions would work this year needed to be resolved at a national level. She would not be drawn on her personal view of any potential changes.
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Ms Berry suggested that the territory was well placed to respond to the disruptions, as schools already had the freedom to choose different ways to conduct their assessments while still meeting the requirements of the ACT Board of Senior Secondary Studies (BSSS).
"ACT senior secondary students can be confident that if they meet the requirements, they will receive the ACT Senior Secondary Certificate," she said.
Ms Berry said public schools were well set up to deliver online classes to students. The ACT government has for the past three years given free Chromebooks to all secondary school students - a program which has now been extended to everyone in year 4, 5 and 6.
With the entire curriculum set to be delivered online from term 2, Ms Berry said the government was working to ensure all students at home had internet access. She did not provide further details, but indicated that an announcement was imminent.
In a letter published last week on its website, BSSS chair Roberta McRae reiterated students would receive their certificate if they completed the requirements.
She added that there was no intention to extend the study period for year 12 students into 2021.
Shedding more light on the ATAR issue, she said an "intensive research and review process is currently under way to develop contingencies that if required will ensure there will be no disadvantage to ACT students relative to students in other states".
"This is a very complex, challenging and worrying time for all students, their families and school communities," the letter read.
"The Board wants you succeed. We want you to know that we are committed to your education and wellbeing."
ACT Council of Parents and Citizens Associations president Kirsty McGovern-Hooley said uncertainty around final-year assessment had been a significant cause for concern among parents and students.
Ms McGovern-Hooley said information published in recent days by the BSSS had "gone a long away to allaying those fears".
- For information on COVID-19, please go to the ACT Health website or federal Health Department's website.
- You can also call the Coronavirus Health Information Line on 1800 020 080
- If you have serious symptoms, such as difficulty breathing, call Triple Zero (000)
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