NEW SENIOR SCHOOL CERTIFICATE A STEP CLOSER

A new senior schooling qualification that recognises workplace, university and community learning is a step closer after legislation was introduced into State Parliament today.

Education and Training Minister, Rod Welford, said the Education Legislation Amendment Bill (2006) paved the way for the introduction of the new Queensland Certificate of Education (QCE) in 2008.

“The QCE is a school-based qualification awarded to students at the completion of Year 12 or equivalent studies,” Mr Welford said.

“It represents a significant change to the way learning achievements in the Senior Phase of Learning are certified, and will replace the existing Senior Certificate.

“Students who are currently in Year 10 this year are the first group to begin studying towards the new certificate, which will be issued for the first time in 2008.

“A wider range of learning will be able to contribute to the new QCE, including new options of workplace learning projects, self-directed learning projects and university subjects, and literacy and numeracy standards must also be met.

“For the first time, achievements such as participation and leadership in community or sporting programs, or a student’s research into topics of their own interest may count towards a senior qualification.

“This means students will have a broad base from which to move into further education or training, and will be better able to signal the range of their capabilities to employers.

“This is in contrast to the existing Senior Certificate which simply records a student’s level of achievement, whether it be high or low, in recognised subjects

“Potential employers will be able to have confidence that students who have been awarded a QCE will have achieved a solid senior secondary education and are prepared to take the next step into employment, training or further study.”

Under the new arrangements, there is flexibility for Year 12 students who don’t complete their QCE by the end of Year 12 to continue study and accumulate credits for their QCE.

Media contact: Greg Milne or Marnie Stitz on 32371000