Assessment program audit tool
For Authority subjects

Earth Science 2000

The purpose of this audit tool is to enable schools to compare the requirements of their assessment program with the minimum assessment requirements of the syllabus, and to subsequently consider possible amendments to their school work program.

Assessment instruments required in Year 12 (including objectives and dimensions assessed) / Conditions required by the syllabus — e.g. word length, time, genre / School assessment instruments(including objectives and dimensions assessed) / Conditions in school work program / Variations
Refer to syllabus verification and post-verification requirements / Refer to the syllabus assessment section / Refer to the school’s approved work program / Refer to the school’s approved work program / How does the school’s assessment program differ from syllabus requirements?
Verification requirements
Minimum of six instruments and a maximum of ten instruments demonstrating a range of techniques including:
  • at least one from each of the four assessment categories in year 12
Documentation of any spoken tasks is to be included in the folio. / School assessment program
Assessment categories
Short laboratory-based or field based investigations (SLF)
May assess:
  • Knowledge, conceptual understanding and application (KCU)
  • Working scientifically (WS)
  • Using information scientifically (UIS)
/ Normally engage students for:
  • one or a few laboratory sessions
or
  • a short field study close to school or a discrete segment within an extended field investigation.
Conditions:
  • written or non-written
  • written less than 500 words.
  • Might be expected to:
  • outline objective/s of the activity
  • present gathered and processed data
  • summarise conclusion/s.
Syllabus, p. 34
Extended laboratory-based and/or field based investigation (ELF)
May assess:
  • Knowledge, conceptual understanding and application (KCU)
  • Working scientifically (WS)
  • Using information scientifically (UIS)
/ Span several weeks or a term.
Forms:
  • written or non-written — many forms.
Conditions:
  • written report 600–1000 words
  • non-written — oral 5–8 minutes.
Syllabus, pp. 35–36
Extended investigation (EI)
May assess:
  • Knowledge, conceptual understanding and application (KCU)
  • Working scientifically (WS)
  • Using information scientifically (UIS)
/ Other than laboratory or field based.
Conditions:
  • Written response
    600–1000 words
  • Non-written 5–8 minutes.
Syllabus, p. 36
Written test (WT)
May assess:
  • Knowledge, conceptual understanding and application (KCU)
  • Working scientifically (WS)
  • Using information scientifically (UIS)
/ Range of simple-to-complex situations, including those that are unrehearsed.
May include:
  • definitions, one-word answers or multiple choice
  • objective and/or short answer questions
  • questions requiring reasoned answers
  • questions requiring extended answers
  • practical exercises
  • response to a stimulus.
Syllabus, p. 36
Post-verification requirements
One assessment instrument from the following:
  • short laboratory-based or field-based investigations
  • extended laboratory-based and/or field based investigation
  • extended investigation
  • written test.
May assess:
  • Knowledge, conceptual understanding and application (KCU)
  • Working scientifically (WS)
  • Using information

Summary

Where the school’s assessment plan differs from the minimum syllabus requirements, consider:

  • are these choices the most effective way to gather information about student learning?
  • what is the rationale behind these school decisions?
  • what changes could be made to the school’s work program?

More information

Please email or phone (07) 3864 0375.

Assessment program audit tool
Earth Science 2000 / Queensland Curriculum & Assessment Authority
July 2014
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