Biggest changes to the SACE in a decade would see research project moved to year 11

The controversial SACE research project is set to be scrapped as a compulsory Year 12 subject, in the biggest overhaul of the high school certificate in a decade.

• New figures reveal true Year 12 completion rate
• Survey finds parents and staff want research project scrapped
• Research project a better predictor of success than ATAR

The controversial SACE research project is set to be scrapped as a compulsory Year 12 subject, in the biggest overhaul of the high school certificate in a decade.

A review ordered by the State Government recommends the subject should have to be completed in Year 11, with an optional, revamped version available in Year 12.

While the Government cannot force the SACE Board to change curriculum content, Education Minister John Gardner said “early discussions” with the board indicated some schools could make the change in 2020, and the rest in 2021.

The review, by Glenunga International High principal Wendy Johnson, was a Liberal election pledge. Mr Gardner sought the changes to the research project to give students room in their timetable to pursue a foreign language through to Year 12.

Under the proposed changes, students seeking university entry would do five full, 20-credit subjects in Year 12.

Other recommendations include:

Reducing the amount of subject content, and fewer but “richer and deeper” assessments.

No longer allowing D and E grades to earn SACE credits.

Providing more accurate figures on SACE completion rates, by comparing numbers of students who begin with the Personal Learning Plan in Year 10 to those who finish Year 12.

Direct entry processes to undergrad uni courses based on school grades and other student “capabilities”, so students do not make school subject choices purely to maximise their Australian Tertiary Admissions Rank.

That the Government do a comprehensive inquiry into the quality and delivery of VET in schools.

Accelerating the introduction of “entrepreneurial thinking and learning”, particularly in assessments.

The review says this year’s Year 12s are anecdotally “the most stressed cohort that schools leaders have encountered”.

The review says this year’s Year 12s are anecdotally “the most stressed cohort that schools leaders have encountered”. Picture: iStock

“Some leaders wondered whether the number of similar tasks and the reflection required in many tasks led to students’ increased self-focus and perceptions of unhealthy stress”, it says, recommending further research on the issue.

Mr Gardner said the review was “a crucial step to ensuring that we maintain an outstanding and highly regarded SACE certificate that is the envy of other jurisdictions”.

He did not support a recommendation to remove the option of using a VET Certificate III to contribute to an ATAR.

“In relation to the balance of the recommendations, the SACE Board has indicated that they would like a further period of time to give them their full consideration and provide further advice to the Government. The Government will therefore provide a full response to the review next year,” Mr Gardner said.

SACE Board presiding member Jane Danvers said: “The research project is an important part of the SACE and we are constantly exploring how we can develop this subject to ensure it continues to meet the needs of today’s students.

“The board is carefully reviewing each of the 16 recommendations of the SACE review and the potential implications these recommendations will have on the SACE. We will be talking with the education sector about the recommendations and the board will decide its position on the review after these discussions have occurred when schools return in February.”