Experts appointed to avoid repeat of exam debacle

The Qualifications Authority (NZQA) has established two advisory bodies to prepare for Scholarship 2005 in a bid to avoid a repeat of last year's examinations debacle.

The move follows recommendations from the Scholarship Reference Group, which looked into the unacceptable variation between subjects awarded in the first year of National Certificate of Educational Achievement (NCEA) scholarship exams.

Former NZQA head Karen Van Rooyen resigned in May after damning reports by the Government and the State Services Commission into the organisation's handling of last year's scholarship exams.

NZQA acting board chairwoman Catherine Gibson yesterday announced the members of the advisory groups, which are made up of education and assessment experts.

"The assistance and insight from those on the groups will be valuable because they will provide independent validation of the awards," she said.

The Scholarship Technical Advisory Group and the Scholarship Processes Advisory Group will both be chaired by Victoria University School of Government head Gary Hawke.

The Technical Advisory Group will monitor the implementation of changes, advising in particular on the number of scholarships to be awarded in each subject.

In most cases, between 2 and 3 per cent of Year 13 students in each subject will receive a scholarship.

The Technical Advisory Group will also comprise Auckland University professor of education John Hattie, and Otago University professor of education and educational research unit co-director Terry Crooks.

The Processes Advisory Group will oversee the implementation of the revised system and work with the NZQA to make scholarship awards transparent.

It is made up of Manukau Institute of Technology lecturer Karen Dobric; Christchurch College of Education director Peter Allen; University of Auckland Teachers' College dean John Langley; Waitakere College deputy principal Shona Smith; and Te Awamutu College principal Barbara Cavanagh.

- NZPA