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Assessment Certification Examination (ACE)
NSW Education Standards Authority (NESA)

Accessing Years 7–10 Life Skills outcomes and content

ACE 3001

Last Updated: 4 December 2017

All students are entitled to participate in and progress through the curriculum. Courses based on Life Skills outcomes and content provide options for students with disability in Years 7–10 who cannot access the regular course outcomes, particularly students with an intellectual disability.

Before deciding that a student should access a course based on Life Skills outcomes and content, consideration should be given to other ways of assisting the student to engage with the regular course outcomes. This may include a range of adjustments to teaching, learning and assessment activities. If the adjustments do not provide a student with sufficient access to some or all outcomes in Years 7–10, a decision to access one of more courses based on Life Skills outcomes might be appropriate.

Courses based on Life Skills outcomes are not an appropriate option for students:

  • performing below their cohort
  • who could be helped with appropriate adjustments and support.

The appropriate timing of the decision to access Life Skills outcomes and content in Years 7–10 will be determined by the needs of the individual student. All decisions about curriculum options for students with disability should be made through the collaborative curriculum planning process.

Schools are not required to seek permission for students to access courses based on Life Skills outcomes and content or submit planning documentation to NESA.