Australian Certificate of Education
Encyclopedia
The Australian Certificate of Education (ACE) is the name of a proposed national senior secondary school certificate
to replace the various existing Australian state and territory certificates in the upcoming National Curriculum
. The scheme was considered by the Australian state and territory education ministers within the Australian Qualifications Framework
. "Credentialling, and related assessment requirements and processes, will remain the responsibility of states and territories" - quote from the NSW Board of Studies website (which contradicts this proposed ACE).
The acronym "ACE" is already used for other educational purposes in Australia - the Australian College of Educators
, Adult and Community Education and Advanced Christian Education.
(ACER), led by Professor Geoff Masters to investigate and report on models for a nationwide Australian Certificate of Education. The report was published in May 2006.
The report proposed the creation, in stages, of a national Australian Certificate of Education to replace the current state and territory certificates. It also proposed that the certificate be awarded by state and territory authorities (the ACACA agencies), based on nationally consistent standards set by a national standards body.
Some schools choose to offer the following equivalents:
Senior Secondary Certificate of Education
The Senior Secondary Certificate of Education is the graduation certificate awarded to most students in Australian high schools, and is equivalent to the High School Diploma of North America and the A-Levels of the United Kingdom. Students completing the SSCE are usually aged 16 to 18 and study...
to replace the various existing Australian state and territory certificates in the upcoming National Curriculum
National Curriculum (Australia)
A National Curriculum for schools in all states and territories of Australia, from Kindergarten to Year 12, is currently being developed. The first stages are scheduled to commence in 2011...
. The scheme was considered by the Australian state and territory education ministers within the Australian Qualifications Framework
Australian Qualifications Framework
The Australian Qualifications Framework provides the hierarchy of educational qualifications in Australia. It is administered nationally by the Australian Government Department of Education, Employment and Workplace Relations. Few qualifications outside the system are accepted by employers or for...
. "Credentialling, and related assessment requirements and processes, will remain the responsibility of states and territories" - quote from the NSW Board of Studies website (which contradicts this proposed ACE).
The acronym "ACE" is already used for other educational purposes in Australia - the Australian College of Educators
Australian College of Educators
The Australian College of Educators is the principal organisation representing the field of teaching and education in Australia, and acts as the independent interest body for Australian teachers...
, Adult and Community Education and Advanced Christian Education.
Development
In June 2005, the Australian Government commissioned the Australian Council for Educational ResearchAustralian Council for Educational Research
The Australian Council for Educational Research , established in 1930, is an independent educational research organisation based in Camberwell, Victoria and with offices in Sydney, Brisbane, Perth, Adelaide, Dubai and India...
(ACER), led by Professor Geoff Masters to investigate and report on models for a nationwide Australian Certificate of Education. The report was published in May 2006.
The report proposed the creation, in stages, of a national Australian Certificate of Education to replace the current state and territory certificates. It also proposed that the certificate be awarded by state and territory authorities (the ACACA agencies), based on nationally consistent standards set by a national standards body.
Current Certificates
The current state and territory senior secondary school certificates are:- NSW: Higher School Certificate (HSC)
- VIC: Victorian Certificate of EducationVictorian Certificate of EducationThe Victorian Certificate of Education or VCE is the credential awarded to secondary school students who successfully complete high school level studies in the state of Victoria, Australia. Study for the VCE is usually completed over two years, but it can be spread over a longer period in some cases...
(VCE), Victorian Certificate of Applied LearningVictorian Certificate of Applied LearningThe Victorian Certificate of Applied Learning is a 'hands-on' option for students in Years 11 and 12 in Victoria, Australia.The VCAL gives students practical work-related experience, as well as literacy and numeracy skills and the opportunity to build personal skills that are important for life...
(VCAL) - QLD: Queensland Certificate of EducationQueensland Certificate of EducationThe Queensland Certificate of Education is the certificate awarded to students completing their secondary schooling in Queensland. The QCE was introduced in 2008, to replace the Senior Certificate...
(QCE), Queensland Certificate of Individual Achievement (QCIA) - SA: South Australian Certificate of EducationSouth Australian Certificate of EducationThe South Australian Certificate of Education is awarded to students who have successfully completed their senior secondary schooling in the state of South Australia....
(SACE) - WA: Western Australian Certificate of EducationWestern Australian Certificate of EducationThe Western Australian Certificate of Education is the credential given to students who have completed Year 11 and Year 12 of their secondary schooling in the state of Western Australia, Australia, and is intended to become the Western Australian certificate within the Australian Certificate of...
(WACE) - TAS: Tasmanian Certificate of EducationTasmanian Certificate of EducationThe Tasmanian Certificate of Education, or TCE, is the main credential awarded to secondary school students who successfully complete senior high school level studies in Tasmania, Australia...
(TCE) - ACT: Australian Capital Territory Year 12 Certificate
- NT: Northern Territory Certificate of EducationNorthern Territory Certificate of EducationThe Northern Territory Certificate of Education is the credential awarded to High School students who successfully complete senior high school level studies in the Northern Territory, Australia.-The NTCE structure:...
(NTCE)
Some schools choose to offer the following equivalents:
- International: International Baccalaureate Diploma Programme (IBDP)
- International: Advanced Christian Education