Year 9 NAPLAN results and the HSC minimum standard

From the Director of Curriculum, Elizabeth Watson

The NSW Education Authority (NESA, formerly Board of Studies) has asked the College to disseminate information about the new online HSC minimum standard literacy and numeracy tests.  This information is particularly pertinent to parents of 2017 Year 9 students.

HSC minimum standard required to receive the HSC from 2020

Literacy and numeracy skills are the foundation for success in life after school. This is why eligibility for the HSC is changing. From 2020, students will need to show they have the basic literacy and numeracy skills needed to complete everyday tasks.

Your child will have a number of opportunities from Year 9 to Year 12, and even after the HSC to show they meet the HSC minimum standard

Some students will meet the requirement early through their Year 9 NAPLAN results in reading, writing and numeracy. However, most students will show they meet the standard by passing short, online reading, writing and numeracy tests in Years 10, 11 or 12.

The writing test will require students to respond to a question about a prompt or stimulus.

 

Year 9 NAPLAN reports available in mid-August

Your child’s Year 9 NAPLAN report will indicate which online HSC minimum standard test or tests (if any) they will need to pass to be eligible for the HSC certificate. Remember your child has three more years of learning before the HSC and can take the HSC minimum standard online tests in Years 10, 11 or 12. Year 9 NAPLAN is a good chance to check they are on track or get support to meet the minimum standard by Year 12.

If your child has achieved a Band 8 or above in reading, writing or numeracy, the NAPLAN report will indicate that they have “Met the HSC minimum standard early” in the respective area/s.

 

Your child can sit the online HSC minimum standard tests when they are ready

There are three separate 45 minute online tests: reading, writing and numeracy. Students don’t have to pass all three tests at once and can attempt each test up to twice a year. The reading and numeracy tests each contain a maximum of 45 multiple choice questions. You can try some sample reading and numeracy questions at https://hscliteracynumeracy.nesa.nsw.edu.au/

 

Eleven Key Points about the new HSC minimum standard literacy and numeracy tests.

1. NAPLAN results for Year 9 students will indicate which online test/s (if any) they will need to pass to be eligible for the HSC certificate.
2. There are three separate 45 minute online tests: reading, writing and numeracy.
3. Students don’t have to pass all three tests at once.
4. The reading and numeracy tests each contain a maximum of 45 multiple choice questions. See sample questions.
5. The writing test will require students to respond to a question based on a prompt or stimulus.
6. Schools may run a test for a group of students or an individual student.
7. See 2018 schedule for the HSC minimum standard tests.
8. Students and schools will receive a results report after a student completes an online test.
9. In 2018, the HSC minimum standard tests will replace the current online literacy and numeracy tests.
10. Detailed operational information for Test Coordinators will be available on Schools Online from Day 1, Term 1 2018.
11. NESA will be trialling the online tests from 13-24 November 2017.

Most students will demonstrate the HSC minimum standard by passing new, short online reading, writing and numeracy tests in the lead up to the HSC.