File Ref: FILE2021/4156
Miles Greenwark
Via email:
xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx@xxxxxxxxxxx.xxx.xx
Dear Mr Greenwark
FREEDOM OF INFORMATION (FOI) REQUEST
I refer to your application under the
Freedom of Information Act 2016 (the FOI Act)
received by the Education Directorate (the Directorate) on 20 August 2021, in which you
sought access to:
‘Documents regarding the decision making process and final decisions regarding
student assessment during the remote learning period of 2021 (which started
specifically on the 20th of August, 2021). Specifically, documents containing decisions
regarding whether students wil be assessed similarly to the remote learning period in
2020, where they received an "S" grade for that school semester.’
The
ACT Board of Senior Secondary Studies (BSSS) is the agency responsible for the
information requested. As previously advised, a principal function of the BSSS is to
provide information on the performance of students and former students and to establish
the principles and procedures for the assessment of attainments of students and the
moderation of these assessments.
I am an Information Officer appointed by the Director-General of the ACT Education
Directorate (the Directorate) under section 18 of the FOI Act to deal with access
applications made under Part 5 of the FOI Act. In accordance with section 21 of the FOI
Act, the principal officer of the BSSS, has requested that I deal with your access
application.
The decision on your access application was due to be provided by 17 September 2021.
Decision on access
Searches were completed for relevant records and one record was identified that fal s
within the scope of your request. This record is a Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
document that was developed by BSSS to provide guidance to schools about assessment
for the remote learning period implemented in Term 2 of 2020. The content remains valid
and the document has been used again in 2021.
GPO Box 158 Canberra ACT 2601 | phone: 132281 | www.act.gov.au
I have decided to grant access to a copy of the record with information deleted that is
outside the scope of your request.
The record released to you is provided as Attachment A to this letter.
Additional information
Your consideration of the record provided may be assisted by the fol owing additional
information and publicly available sources:
• The awarding of a Status grade for an individual student, supported by evidence,
is the result of the decision making processes of the school based on the Policies
and Procedures Manual (PPM) of the ACT BSSS available at
https://www.bsss.act.edu.au/information_for_teachers/policy_and_procedures
• The Policies and Procedures surrounding the award of Status were changed for
2021.
• The 2020 PPM was used by schools in that year, including during the lockdown
period.
• The 2021 PPM has been used by schools this year, including during the lockdown
period.
• The relevant sections in the PPM 2020 and PPM 2021 for the award of Status are
PPM 2020 – 4.3.6.5 and 4.3.13, and PPM 2021 – 4.3.6.5 and 4.4. Copies are
provided at Attachment B for your convenience.
• The BSSS website provides information for students and parents/carers about
assessment during remote learning. The documents of relevance are:
o FAQs for Students, Parents and Carers
https://www.bsss.act.edu.au/__data/assets/pdf_file/0017/511136/BSSS_F
requently_Asked_Questions_-_Students,_Parents_and_Carers_-
_08.09.2021.pdf
o Assessment During COVID-19 and Lockdown
https://www.bsss.act.edu.au/__data/assets/pdf_file/0014/524021/BSSS_
Assessment_During_COVID-19_and_Lockdown_-_08.09.2021.pdf
Online publishing – disclosure log
Under section 28 of the Act, the Directorate maintains an online record of access
applications called a disclosure log. Information about your request and my decision in
response to your access application will be published in the Directorate’s disclosure log
between three and 10 working days after a decision on access has been provided to you.
Your personal information wil not be published.
You may view the Directorate’s disclosure log at
https://www.education.act.gov.au/about_us/freedom_of_information/disclosure-log.
Ombudsman review
My decision on your access request is a reviewable decision as identified in Schedule 3 of
the Act. You have the right to seek Ombudsman review of this outcome under section 73
of the Act within 20 working days from the day that my decision is published in the
Directorate’s disclosure log, or a longer period al owed by the Ombudsman.
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If you wish to request a review of my decision you may write to the Ombudsman at:
The ACT Ombudsman
GPO Box 442
CANBERRA ACT 2601
E
mail: xxxxxx@xxxxxxxxx.xxx.xx
ACT Civil and Administrative Tribunal (ACAT) review
Under section 84 of the Act, if a decision is made under section 82(1) on an Ombudsman
review, you may apply to the ACAT for review of the Ombudsman decision.
Further information may be obtained from the ACAT at:
ACT Civil and Administrative Tribunal
Level 4, 1 Moore St
GPO Box 370
Canberra City ACT 2601
Telephone: (02) 6207 1740
http://www.acat.act.gov.au/
If you have any queries concerning the Directorate’s processing of your request, or would
like further information, please contact the Directorate’s FOI team on 02 6205 0720 or
email xxxxxxxxxxxx@xxx.xxx.xx.
Yours sincerely
Paula Murray
Information Officer
17 September 2021
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