To explain the guidelines for the setting, completion, submission and grading of assignments in the Senior School (Years 10-12).
The Importance of Assignments
In the Queensland system of continuous assessment assignments contribute to the overall achievement profile of students.
Assignments provide a unique opportunity for students to achieve well. Unlike exams and tests, which have strict time constraints, assignments provide students with the chance to draft and edit over a period of time and so present their best possible work.
Issuing of Assignment Tasks
Students will usually be informed about assignments in the first week of each term. Students will receive an electronic copy of the assessment calendar for the term, which will identify all the dates of all assessment instruments.
- Teachers will give students the actual assignment task and criteria sheet when the class has progressed sufficiently with the unit of work for students to be adequately prepared to begin work on the assignment.
- The time allocated to assignments varies between subjects and actual tasks. Some tasks only require two weeks. Some research and experimental tasks are longer.
Conferencing and Assistance with Assignments
- Generally as students move through to the later stages of the Senior School they are expected by the Q.S.A. to grow increasingly independent in their assignment work.
- That being said, students may conference with teachers for general assistance. See also submissions.
- At any stage a student is allowed to receive assistance from peers, family members and tutors, but the work must still be the student’s, even though they have received assistance.
Submissions
Early Drafts:
Teachers may set or students may request to submit partial early drafts to gain feedback from the teacher.
Complete draft submissions:
These are due a week before the final submission is due.
- Complete draft submissions need to be handed personally to the subject teacher during the lesson of the respective subject, or at another time specified by the teacher, on the day the final draft submission is due.
- In hardcopy unless directed otherwise.
- Students who fail to submit a complete draft of their assignment will be withdrawn from regular classes and will have to complete their drafts in a designated area assigned by the teacher involved. Students will be allowed to continue with their normal time table on the completion of their drafts. The teacher involved will also contact the student’s parents to inform them of the situation.
Final submission:
On the actual due date.
- Final submissions need to be handed personally to the subject teacher during the lesson of the respective subject, or at another time specified by the teacher, on the day the final draft submission is due.
- In hardcopy unless directed otherwise.
- Students who fail to submit a final submission will have their previous complete draft assessed.
Extensions
- At times students may suffer extended illness or other legitimate absences from school. These circumstances may necessitate the granting of an extension. Students are to obtain extensions from their teachers through negotiation at the earliest possible opportunity if required. In most cases documentation (e.g. doctor’s certificate) will be required.
- Students in the Senior School should be able to manage their workload and schedule their study time appropriately. Notwithstanding, students may find themselves in a difficult position in terms of completing their assignment because of a range of reasons. They should discuss this with their teacher as soon as possible to get back on track.
Plagiarism
Copying directly from a source, including any other person’s work, is obviously dishonest. This is known as plagiarism. It is quite easy to detect material that has been taken directly from the internet or another source. Should a student submit such work, the task cannot be assessed by the teacher and the specific subject consequences for such an offence will be applied. Because of the seriousness of such an action, the parents will also be informed of the situation so they can help the student understand the issue.
Grading
- Final submissions will be graded and the grade informed in a timely manner.
- Assignments are held in the students’ folios each year, until Easter of the following year.
Last Updated on Friday, 14 September 2012 09:40