New National Qualifications – Support and information for Parents
Update from the Scottish Qualifications Authority
The Scottish Qualifications Authority has a number of resources for parents to help you understand the changes to Scotland’s qualifications.
The parent and carer section of the SQA website explains how and why Scottish qualifications are changing and what the changes mean for young people and their families.
Their new video introduction explains the changes and outlines the information available on their website.
Their Mythbuster videos answer common questions about the new qualifications to help parents understand what’s happening – these new clips are now available. They also have videos explaining othe development process and the groups working with SQA to develop the new qualifications.
There is a leaflet especially for parents and carers which can also be downloaded from the SQA website or is available from schools.
SQA are also publishing draft documents on their website between now and April 2012 which show each stage of thethinking and plans. SQA are looking for feedback at each stage of the development.
On 31 August 2011 SQA published Unit Specifications for National 4 and National 5, Course Rationales and Summaries for Access 2, Course Rationales and Summaries for Access 3, and Course Specifications for Higher.
The documents are quite technical and are aimed at teachers and education specialists but are also available for parents to comment on.
Comments on these documents can be made by 31 October 2011 using the SQA website’s Have Your Say facility. A summary of feedback they have received so far is also on their website.
Keep visiting www.sqa.org.uk/curriculumforexcellence for all you need to know about the new qualifications. Sign up for MyAlerts to receive e-mail updates.
