What is the SACE?
The South Australian Certificate of Education (SACE) is a qualification awarded to students who successfully complete their senior secondary education (Years 11 and 12).
The certificate is based on two stages of achievement: Stage 1 (Year 11) and Stage 2 (Year 12).
When will it start?
The SACE begins with the compulsory subject called the Personal Learning Plan, undertaken in Year 10. The SACE continues through Years 11 and 12.
What are some of the features of the SACE?
As part of the SACE students will:
- receive credits for many different forms of education and training (such as academic subjects, learning a trade, TAFE, vocational training and community service) provided they are recognised by the SACE Board
- be able to return to their studies at any time in the future to complete the SACE without losing credit for work already undertaken
- receive A+ to E- grades in every Stage 1 and Stage 2 SACE subject
- be expected to gain and demonstrate essential skills and knowledge for their future, focusing on Literacy, Numeracy, Information and Communication Technology, Critical and Creative Thinking, Personal and Social, Ethical Understanding, Intercultural Understanding
- have 30 per cent of their work in every Stage 2 subject externally assessed. This will be done in various ways, including exams, practical performances and presentations
- have moderators check the school-assessed parts of Stage 2 subjects to ensure consistent grading across the state.
The requirements to achieve the SACE
To gain the certificate, students must earn 200 credits. 10 credits are equivalent to one semester in a particular subject or course.
Some elements of the SACE are compulsory. These are:
- Exploring Identities and Futures (at Stage 1) (undertaken in Year 10), worth 10 credits
- at least 20 credits towards Literacy from a range of English/English as a Second Language studies at Stage 1
- at least 10 credits towards Numeracy from a range of Mathematics Studies at Stage 1
- Activating and Futures at Stage 2, (undertaken in Year 11) worth 10 credits
- completion of at least 60 additional credits in Stage 2 subjects and courses.
The importance of the compulsory elements is reflected in the requirement that students must achieve a C grade or better in these subjects to complete the SACE successfully.
All SACE courses are assessed against Performance Standards.
For further information about SACE subjects, please visit the SACE website at www.sace.sa.edu.au
Information for Parents: https://www.sace.sa.edu.au/documents/652891/41ad8453-be9a-726e-f5ab-c156044f6691