1387b/2011

PRINCIPLES

Definitions:

• Extracted from the Assessment Rules

R3(1) assessment, in relation to a course, includes any task that is required to be performed by a student for a judgement to be made of the student's level of performance in that course;

R5(1) final assessment for a course means the final task for the course that is prescribed to be performed by a student for the satisfactory completion of the course.

(2) For subrule (1), final assessment for a course will be in the form of a compulsory examination where a student is required to sit the whole of the examination on a given day at a given time, or other forms of assessment, including, but not limited to, practical examinations, take-home examinations and essays representing the final task in the course.

• "study break" means the three days preceding the commencement of the examination session

1.  Introduction

1.1  The University recognises that while lecturers must explain their assessment systems to students in the course and respond to student comments and suggestions, the lecturers in each subject are responsible for determining the assessment system within the assessment framework and policies of the ANU.

1.2  These procedures apply to all coursework courses, both undergraduate and graduate, offered in the University.  It is expressed in terms of standard teaching periods.  Some provisions, eg 2.2, 4.2 and 5.1, may not be applicable to non-standard or intensive courses.  However, the underlying principles should be followed as far as practicable and adjustments made on a pro rata basis to time references, as appropriate.

2.  Consultation on assessment

2.1  No later than the first week of each semester, and preferably before, the proposed assessment system for each course to be taught in that semester will be made available in electronic form to prospective and enrolled students.  On request by a student, the proposed assessment system is to be made available in hard copy.  This information should state clearly and precisely when assessment tasks would be due, their nature, duration or length, the weighting of each assessable item in the total assessment scheme, and penalties for late submission.  Students should be advised to check the Undergraduate Handbook and the Examinations and Assessment webpage at the Division of Registrar and Student Services website (http://www.anu.edu.au/sas/examinations/index.php) for policy statements concerning special consideration and special, further and supplementary assessment.

2.2  In classes during the first two weeks of each semester, the Course Authority or lecturer will discuss and explain to students the assessment system outlined in 2.1. 

2.3  Statements of course content and assessment will be published by the Course Authority or lecturer on the Wattle website.

2.4.  The Education Dean is responsible for monitoring the distribution of assessment and deadlines for submission in the semester across courses offered by their areas.  Excessive clashes or congestion should be taken-up with Course Authorities with a view to achieving a reasonable distribution in respect of major assignments as far as is practicable. 

3.  Disagreements over the assessment system

3.1  The appropriate avenue for raising questions about the assessment system is with the lecturer in the first instance.

3.2  In the event of significant disagreement between students, the lecturer and the Course Authority about the assessment system, the matter may be referred for mediation to the Education Dean.

3.3  Any changes to the announced assessment system after week two of the semester must be discussed with students.  Where the proposed change does not have the agreement of the whole class, it requires the approval of the Education Dean before it may be implemented.

3.4  The Education Dean will ensure that a student's performance in a course and program of study is not affected by the making of a complaint of an academic nature by the student.

4. Assessment and Examinations 

4.1  All students enrolled in coursework who have followed the confirmed assessment system for the respective courses are eligible to present work/sit any examination required for the purpose of the final assessment in the course.

4.2  Other than in exceptional circumstances, no single item of assessment should constitute the sole assessment in any course.  An exception to this is in the case of graduate coursework programs, which require one substantial piece of research in a course.

4.3  Every effort should be made to remove ambiguity from examination questions and assignment topics.  If there are ambiguities, spelling mistakes or incorrect instructions, the Education Dean should ensure that students are not penalised.

5.  Timing of assessment and feedback

5.1 (a)  Other than in exceptional circumstances, all final examinations should be held in the examination period and not in the final two weeks of the semester; where possible, mid-semester undergraduate examinations should be held in a common period agreed upon by all Colleges (such as in the ‘floating week' which precedes the mid-term break).  No examinations will be held during the study break.  This refers to all assessment (see subrules 3(1), 5(1) and 5(2) of the Rules). 

(b)  In courses where there is no final assessment in the form of a compulsory examination where a student is required to sit the whole of the examination in a given time, the final piece of assessment may be scheduled for submission during the examination period, but not during periods ruled out in 5.1(a).

5.2  Other items of assessment (i.e. assessment which counts towards the final result in a course including essays, reports, field trips, etc) should not be scheduled for submission in the last week of the semester, during the examination periods or during the study break.  Exceptions are: 

(a)   laboratory reports and tutorial presentations/papers (including simulations, reflective diaries etc) which have to be scheduled in the final week; and

(b)   work which does not form part of the assessment for the final result in a

course (eg short examination preparation tests).

5.3  The results and feedback for each assignment should be made available to students within a reasonable time before they sit the final examination in the course. (Sub-theses are exempted from this provision).

6.  Reporting

6.1  The Education Dean may be requested to report periodically to the member of the University Executive with portfolio responsibilities for teaching and learning on whether or not these principles and procedures have been complied with.