NSW students will need minimum standard in literacy and numeracy to achieve HSC from 2020

FROM 2020, students in NSW will have to show a minimum standard in literacy and numeracy to receive their HSC.

Alysha McLennan, Katrina Sepping, Alexandra Garcia, Elline Guerrero, Shane Muscat and Ashlee Ward were the among the top performers for the 2015 HSC at St John Paul II Catholic College, Quakers Hill. Picture: Carmela Roche

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FROM 2020, students in NSW will have to show a minimum standard in literacy and numeracy to receive their HSC.

Minister for Education Adrian Piccoli, announcing the reforms, said evidence showed that students perform better when schools focus on improving essential literacy and numeracy skills for all students.

Next year, Year 9 students will have their first opportunity to meet this new standard by achieving minimum band 8 results when they sit NAPLAN.

Board of Studies, Teaching and Educational Standards NSW (BOSTES) developed the changes. President of the board Tom Alegounarias said there were no new requirements for this year’s 70,000 HSC students and BOSTES will work with schools and teachers to prepare students for the future changes.

Other HSC reforms, which will come into effect for Year 12 students in 2019, will

■ Introduce better, fairer assessments to reduce excessive student stress;

■ Introduce a science extension course, and encourage more students to study maths at the highest possible level;

■ Update the syllabuses in English, maths, science and history

■ Update exam questions to encourage deeper analysis.

Mr Piccoli said the reforms respond to feedback from parents, educators, business and the community about preparing students for 21st century careers.

“These changes will strengthen the integrity and international standing of the HSC and better prepare our students for work, training, university and for life after school,” Mr Piccoli said.

Mr Alegounarias said: “The HSC hasn’t been updated in 17 years.

“It has a proud record and these changes will ensure the certificate remains modern, to meet the needs of all students.”

Details: boardofstudies.nsw.edu.au/stronger-hsc-standards