South Australian Achievement Scale Guide

South Australian Achievement Scale Guide

The South Australian Department for Education requires schools to provide comprehensive student reports that show achievement against the Australian Curriculum standards. South Australian schools use a combination of A-E achievement scales and descriptive reporting to provide parents with clear, meaningful information about student progress.

South Australian Reporting Requirements

Mandatory Reporting Components

South Australian schools must include these elements in every student report:

• Achievement against Australian Curriculum standards - Subject-specific performance
• Five-point achievement scale - A-E rating for each learning area
• Teacher comments - Detailed feedback on student progress
• Effort and engagement - Student approach to learning
• Next steps for learning - Future development areas

Reporting Frequency

• Formal written reports - Twice per year
• Parent-teacher interviews - At least once per year
• Interim reports - As determined by school policy
• Portfolio updates - Ongoing throughout the year

South Australian Five-Point Achievement Scale

A - Excellent Achievement

The student demonstrates exceptional understanding of concepts and applies sophisticated skills across diverse contexts. Achievement is significantly above the expected standard for their year level, with consistent excellence in all assessment tasks and independent extension of learning.

B - Good Achievement

The student demonstrates thorough understanding of most concepts and applies skills effectively in most situations. Achievement is above the expected standard, with high-quality work that shows depth of understanding and effective problem-solving abilities.

C - Sound Achievement

The student demonstrates sound understanding of key concepts and applies skills in familiar contexts. Achievement meets the expected standard for their year level, with work of appropriate quality that shows satisfactory progress against curriculum outcomes.

D - Limited Achievement

The student demonstrates basic understanding of main concepts and applies skills with teacher support. Achievement is below the expected standard, with work that meets minimum requirements but shows limited depth of understanding or application.

E - Very Limited Achievement

The student demonstrates elementary understanding of concepts and struggles to apply skills independently. Achievement is well below the expected standard, indicating significant gaps in understanding that require targeted support and intervention.

South Australian Special Considerations

Foundation Year (Reception)

South Australian Foundation year reporting emphasizes:

• Play-based learning assessment - Observational evidence
• Social and emotional development - Key readiness indicators
• Early literacy and numeracy - Foundational skills development
• Parent-friendly communication - Accessible language and format

Students with Disability

South Australian schools provide Individual Education Plans (IEPs) for students with disabilities:

• Personalised learning goals - Aligned to Australian Curriculum
• Modified assessment approaches - Appropriate to student needs
• Alternative reporting formats - When standard A-E scales are inappropriate
• Focus on progress - Individual growth and achievement

EAL/D Student Reporting

English as an Additional Language/Dialect students in South Australia receive:

• Dual reporting - Both language development and curriculum achievement
• N grade option - For students in first 12 months of English learning
• Progress-focused comments - Language acquisition and content understanding
• Cultural considerations - Appropriate assessment and reporting approaches

Writing South Australian Report Comments

SA Comment Guidelines

South Australian report comments should:

• Reference specific Australian Curriculum achievement standards
• Provide concrete examples of student work and performance
• Balance strengths with areas for development
• Include specific next steps for learning
• Use clear, jargon-free language accessible to parents

Comment Structure

1. Overall Achievement: Summary of performance against standards
2. Specific Examples: Evidence of learning in classroom contexts
3. Skill Development: Progress in key skills and processes
4. Learning Behaviours: Approach to tasks and engagement
5. Future Goals: Next steps for improvement

South Australian Context

• Reference South Australian educational context where relevant
• Consider diverse student backgrounds and experiences
• Incorporate Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander perspectives
• Align with SA Department for Education priorities

South Australian Assessment and Moderation

Quality Assurance Processes

• School-based moderation - Teacher collaboration on assessment standards
• Cluster moderation - Between schools in local areas
• System validation - Departmental review processes
• Professional development - Ongoing assessment training

Assessment Types

• Formative assessment - Ongoing feedback and monitoring
• Summative assessment - End of unit/year evaluations
• Diagnostic assessment - Identifying learning needs
• Performance assessment - Practical demonstrations of learning

South Australian System Integration

Reporting Platforms

South Australian schools use various department-approved systems that:

• Generate reports compliant with SA requirements
• Allow for customization within department guidelines
• Support data analysis and tracking of student progress
• Facilitate communication with parents and caregivers

Data Management

• Collection of student achievement data
• Analysis of cohort performance trends
• Identification of learning gaps and intervention needs
• Reporting to school communities and department

Common South Australian Reporting Challenges

Consistency Across Schools

Ensuring consistent application of A-E scales across diverse school contexts, from metropolitan schools to regional and remote communities.

EAL/D Assessment

Appropriately assessing and reporting the achievement of students from diverse linguistic backgrounds, particularly those new to English language learning.

Workload Management

Balancing comprehensive reporting requirements with teaching workloads, especially for teachers with multiple classes across different year levels.

South Australian Support Resources

South Australian teachers can access support through:

• Department for Education website - Policy documents and guidelines
• Regional education offices - Local support and professional development
• Professional associations - Subject-specific expertise and networks
• School leadership - Internal moderation and support processes

For comprehensive South Australian reporting guidelines and resources, visit the South Australian Department for Education websiteor contact your regional education office for specific support.