Students coast their way to an academic pass

Some students are sitting back and coasting under the NCEA system because they get no credit for doing extra work, the Government has admitted.

Associate Education Minister David Benson-Pope said yesterday that last year's National Certificate of Education Achievement results had revealed new patterns of student behaviour. "Large numbers of students may not be achieving merely because they choose not to complete courses, having already reached their credit goals," he said.

Students must reach 80 credits to pass an NCEA level. The fear is that many meet that requirement, then give up other subjects.

The minister's comments came in response to a Post Primary Teachers' Association report into NCEA that calls for reviews of external moderation, and more money for the assessment system.

The report, compiled after two months of consulting teachers, also calls for research into the impact of the NCEA on student motivation, saying many may be "de-motivated".

"These are the students who are perceived to be most likely to take a minimalist approach, and settle for 'achieved' [a pass] and for the minimum number of credits required for the relevant certificate," it says.

Mr Benson-Pope said those traditionally at the "bottom of the heap" were benefiting from a more flexible system, while the brightest and most able were pushing themselves.

"If there is a concern, it is those students in the middle," he said.

Association president Debbie Te Whaiti blamed certain aspects of the system, such as the 80-credit requirement and uneven credit value of standards, for the apparent loss in student motivation.

The report is the latest blow for the exam system, which has taken a political battering since last year's results revealed wide variations across subjects and standards. Several inquiries are under way.

The new PPTA research, carried out before the results fiasco last month, showed external assessment "lacks credibility with the vast majority of teachers". The report says there are many examples of inconsistencies, pettiness and inadequate processes for appeals.

National's education spokesman, Bill English, said it was too easy for average students to work the system.