NEW SENIOR SCHOOL CERTIFICATE APPROVED TODAY

From 2008 Queensland high school students will receive a new school certificate that recognises school-based academic performance and workplace, university and community achievements.

Education and Training Minister Rod Welford said amendments to the Education Act 2002 took effect today giving the green light to the introduction of the Queensland Certificate of Education next year.

“The Queensland Certificate of Education will replace the existing Senior Certificate and students can begin accumulating credits towards their senior school certificate from the start of Year 10,” Mr Welford said.

“The new certificate means students can have certain achievements from community or sporting activities taken into account for their senior qualification.

“Importantly, vocational education and training, including school-based apprenticeships and traineeships will continue to count towards the new senior qualification.

“The new certificate allows results from workplace learning projects, self-directed learning projects, and university subjects to be recorded. It also requires literacy and numeracy standards to be met.

“The new system will help students move into further education, training or the workforce more smoothly as a broader range of achievements can count. The current system limits achievements to particular subjects.”

Mr Welford said the Queensland Certificate of Education (QCE) also gave senior students more flexibility, with those who were not awarded a certificate by the end of Year 12 being able to continue their studies to accumulate credits.

To receive a QCE, students must achieve 20 credits, including a minimum of 12 in completed core subjects and up to eight credits from non-core studies.

Mr Welford said the introduction of the QCE was an initiative under Education and Training Reforms for the Future, which aimed to ensure all Queenslanders are either in school, work or training until they are 17.

The Queensland Studies Authority, as an independent statutory authority, will oversee the QCE implementation.

Media contact: Marnie Stitz or Emma Clarey on 3237 1000