School-based assessment forms an integral part of the ACT Senior Secondary System, setting it apart from the rest of Australia.  Developing quality assessment tasks is therefore vital for the integrity of our Senior Secondary System. 

To support teachers in designing assessment instruments that meet the needs of our system,  the Quality Assessment Guidelines are based on contemporary research and are designed to develop a common understanding and language for the development of assessment to effectively meet the needs of our students.  These guidelines continue to inform the work of the Board of Senior Secondary Studies (BSSS) in the areas of moderation and assessment. 

The BSSS Quality Assessment Guidelines can be used for designing and reviewing tasks.  The application of the BSSS Quality Assessment Criteria (QAC) can be used to assess a suite of assessment instruments holistically across a unit. The key concept underpinning the Assessment Guidelines is that of validity. 

The Quality Assessment Guidelines draw directly from the 'principles of assessment' as articulated in the Policy and Procedures document: 

That assessment will:

• maintain and articulate standards that describe student achievement

• provide information about the level of students' skill, knowledge and conceptual understandings

• discriminate between the students

• recognise the social and cultural contexts of students

• support teaching and learning goals through clear alignment with curriculum, pedagogy and reporting

• involve a range and balance of types of assessment and modes of responding

• enhance professional and public confidence

BSSS Policy and Procedures Manual, page 29

The issues around the potentials, challenges and risks of AI generated materials and summative assessment are new and developing. More will be discussed on this as your school and the BSSS further develop policies and procedures.