Otamatea High School >> Assessment >> Special Assessment Conditions Policy Conditions

The overarching principle is the notion of fairness. Fairness to the candidate in that providing special assessment conditions allows the candidate to demonstrate her/his ability and fairness to others in that the candidate does not gain an advantage by being provided with special assessment conditions.

Identifying Candidates

Testing over a period of time at school should have identified a student with non-manifest conditions. The school will develop a profile of the student by demonstrating their learning difficulties over time.

Students may be identified as being in need of special assessment conditions in a number of ways.

  • An independent registered educational psychologist should assess the current behavioural and/or learning levels of a student and then through recognised and standardised testing clearly establish the learning potential of the students.
  • SPELD testing that demonstrates their academic performance in relation to their potential.
  • School administered tests that indicate learning potential and show the student's current academic performance.

The student must be receiving on-going teaching during their time at secondary school to manage their learning difficulty. Detail the specific on-going programme of learning support.

The school must have provided and be providing special assessment conditions for the student for any internal assessments and examinations during the year.

Those students who apply for special assessment conditions must have it demonstrated that their performance academically is clearly well below that of an average student at that age and level.

Medical conditions that necessitate Special Assessment Conditions must be supported with specific recent evidence from a medical professional. The effects that the medical condition has on the student's learning will be detailed.

Candidates identified each year will receive special assessment conditions provided by the school for all assessments during their time at secondary school.

The school will provide on-going learning support.

The Principal's Nominee will assemble the evidence that has been used to identify each candidate ready to send to the New Zealand Qualifications Authority well before application.

Applications for special assessment will be fully completed with evidence to be received at the Qualifications Authority before June 30 each year.

Absence from Assessment / Missed and Late assessments / Aegrotat / Compassionate Consideration

Students are not permitted to be absent from assessments, unless it is beyond the student's control (e.g. sickness, family bereavement).

In internally assessed subjects where work counts towards a qualification, the following conditions apply.

1 Absences beyond student control (e.g.; illness) will result in a grade based on of achievement of all criteria on another occasion. These judgements will be supported by documentary evidence. (e.g. homework, classwork, another exercise using the same skills)
2 For all absences, notes should clearly indicate the following:
  • Name and form of the student
  • Date(s) of absence
  • Specific reason for the absence
3 Notes are to be supplied preferably on the first school day following the absence and definitely within three days of return to school.
4 Absence due to illness, where an assessment has been missed, must be explained with a doctor's certificate.
5 If a student misses an assessment for a reason other than illness (e.g. family bereavement) then the parent/caregiver must approach the Principal's Nominee directly to request compassionate consideration.

Failure to observe these conditions may result in no assessed mark/grade being given.

Any other reason completely beyond the student's control will be treated on its individual merit. Parent or caregiver must approach the Principal's Nominee, or Deputy Principal, directly. However, a grade will only be granted in exceptional circumstances.