Glossary of Terms
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The following terms appear throughout this website. The 'view more' link takes you to the section of this website containing further information about the term.
Assessment for Learning
Assessment for learning involves teachers planning how and when they will gather evidence of learning at the same time as they plan the work students will do. Assessment for learning recognises the importance of assessment for student motivation and self-esteem, and promotes the active involvement of students in their own learning.
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Common Grade Scale
The Common Grade Scale describes performance at each of five grade levels (A to E). This scale can be used to report student achievement in both primary and junior secondary years in all NSW schools.
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Course Performance Descriptors
This term refers to the course-specific sets of performance descriptors for Stage 5 courses.
The Course Performance Descriptors are consistent with the Common Grade Scale. The Course Performance Descriptors are based on the outcomes and content of each course, and in describing student performance in the specific course at the end of Stage 5, are a 'professional elaboration' of the Common Grade Scale.
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Foundation Statements
The NSW Primary Curriculum Foundation Statements are short, clear descriptions of the knowledge and skills that each student should develop at each stage of primary school. They have been written to help teachers manage the curriculum more effectively by describing clearly the statewide common curriculum requirements and prioritising what needs to be taught in all primary schools.
The Foundation Statements set out a clear picture of the knowledge, skills and understanding that each student should develop at each stage of primary school. They encompass, at a level broader than syllabus outcomes, the nature (key concepts and content) and scope (breadth, depth and rigour) of learning in Kindergarten to Year 6.
Foundation Statements replace the Stage Statements in the K
6 syllabuses.