Rid to change S.C. scaling

Press, 12 June 1984, Page 1

Rid to change S.C. scaling

PA Wellington Changes may be made in the policy for scaling School Certificate to ensure it is fair to candidates in Maori and some practical subjects. The Education Department will consult the School Certificate Examination Board. It wants to change scaling procedures to ensure a pass

rate of at least 50 per cent in all subjects. The Education Department’s Director-General, Mr W. L. Renwick, said yesterday that he was particularly concerned to review the scaling policy in the light of criticism that it was unfair to candidates in Maori and some practical subjects. “I am satisfied that a

change in policy should be made in fairness to these candidates,” Mr Renwick said. The 50 per cent pass rate would apply to the group of candidates for whom the examination was primarily intended: candidates in their third year at a secondary school who sat English and at least three other subjects.

Mr Renwick said if the Examination Board endorsed the department’s proposal he would discuss the change with the New Zealand Maori Council and the National Advisory Committee on Maori Education. If those groups agreed the policy change would come in for this year’s School Certificate.