Sue Chalmers from NZQA focuses on the NCEA Literacy and Numeracy co-requisites. The workshop outlines:
- the intent of strengthened requirements and assessments;
- the importance of teaching in relevant and authentic contexts across the curriculum;
- recognising students’ starting points and accelerating learning;
- the use of existing tools (e-asTTle, PAT) to monitor progress and inform readiness;
- the importance of entering students only when they are ready to be assessed;
- format of assessment;
- shortened timeframes for release of results;
- individual student feedback reports;
- the importance of preparation for assessment.
Sue Chalmers was appointed to the role of Chief Advisor Assessment at NZQA in March 2021. A significant aspect of her role until the middle of 2024 was leading the implementation of the literacy and numeracy assessments for the new NCEA corequisite. Prior to this, Sue managed the Secondary Examinations team at NZQA for 16 years.
Sue’s current responsibilities include providing advice supporting the Ministry of Education’s NCEA Change programme, providing advice on NCEA to other countries through NZQA’s international policy team, and supporting Pacific Island countries through the provision of training and guidance. Sue’s advice provides an assessment perspective and is grounded in the principles of assessment.
Find Sue’s presentation slides here: Sue Chalmers Demystifying Literacy And Numeracy Assessments NZAI 2025
