Key terms Mandated Materials

Achievement descriptor

An achievement descriptor describes student achievement in terms of a five-point scale and is used for the purpose of reporting student achievement.

Achievement standard

The achievement standard describes an expected level that the majority of students are achieving by the end of a given year of schooling. Meeting the achievement standard at a satisfactory level is described by a C grade. Meeting the achievement standard at a higher level is described by an A (Excellent) grade or a B (High) grade.

Alternative curriculum

An alternative curriculum is a well-established Pre-primary to Year 10 curriculum/framework other than the Western Australian curriculum approved by the Authority.

Assessment

Assessment is the process of gathering information about students and their learning, and using the data gathered to make judgments about achievement, in terms of agreed standards. This information forms the basis of planning for teaching and learning.

Curriculum

The curriculum is the knowledge, understanding, skills, values and attitudes that students are expected to be taught, regardless of where they live or their background.

Grade

A grade describes student achievement on a five-point scale and is used for the purpose of reporting student achievement.

Modified curriculum

A modified curriculum is any documented variation to the Western Australian curriculum that a school negotiates with the student and her/his parents/carers in order to cater for the individual learning needs of the student.

Parent/carer

In relation to a child, parent/carer refers to a person who according to the law has responsibility for the long-term care, welfare and development of the child; or for the day-to-day care, welfare and development of the child as defined in the School Education Act 1999.

Reporting

Reporting is the process of formally and informally communicating student achievement to parents, carers and students.

School

School means a school (government school or non-government school) or a community kindergarten as defined in the School Education Act 1999.