Learning Support

From next week, students in Years 12 and 13 will be sitting their Level 2 and Level 3 NCEA
examinations. Students who are identified as being neuro diverse, have a physical disability, a medical condition or have mental health concerns can receive Special Assessment Conditions (SACs).

The specific SACs with their codes are: 

• BP Braille Paper
• EP Enlarged Paper
• SP Special Paper
• SS Signing Supervisor
• SR Signing Reader
• R Reader
• CU Computer User
• WR Writer
• SA Separate Accommodation
• ET Extra time
• RB Rest Breaks
• CO Computer only Notification.

There are two pathways to receiving SACs. One is through a diagnostic assessment report administered and prepared by a Grade C Assessor or a Registered Psychologist. The other is through ‘Accumulated Evidence.’ 

This is evidence that the College gathers and records as the student progresses through the College. When the student reaches Year 12 a formal application is made to the New Zealand Qualification Authority (NZQA). For this application to be successful there must be evidence of consistent SAC use and that the provision of SACs improved the student’s outcomes. It is expected that students accessing SACs will pass the examination and achieve the qualification.

At Ellesmere College, students identified through formal diagnostic reports and through theLASS screening test receive SACs from Year 7. Initially, this is mainly for eAsttle Reading Comprehension, Writing and Mathematics. However, depending on the student this can extend into assistance with assessments across all subjects.

Dianne Knops 

HELA Learning Support