STAFF WRITER
The education department is looking at how to protect students’ learning amid the rapid rise in the use of artificial intelligence in schools.
Half of a student’s HSC result is based on school-based assessment. Under the current rules, schools determine how much of that 50% is assessed through take home tasks and how much is completed in class.
The new rule will limit schools to a maximum of one take home assessment task worth no more than 15% of the school-based assessment mark – or 7.5% of the total HSC mark, the NSW Education Standards Authority said.
Schools will still be able to use a range of assessment types appropriate to each course, including examinations, oral tasks, and process diaries.
HSC major works are not included in the restrictions, but schools are still required to authenticate students’ work. Some courses with assessment tasks linked to the development of major works will also be exempt, including courses across the creative arts, technologies, and English Extension 2.
The advice comes before the Class of 2027 begins their HSC studies in Term 4 this year. The limit will also apply to students beginning Year 11 in Term 1 in 2027.
The new limit should provide a clear direction that HSC marks should reflect a student’s own knowledge, skills and thinking, without reliance on generative AI tools according to the Education Standards Authority.
Minister for Education and Early Learning Prue Car said school communities are concerned about the tide of AI technology impacting classrooms.
“NSW is leading the nation in our response to AI in schools, and mitigating risks to the HSC is a critical first step to deal with the rapid intrusion of AI into our learning and brain development,” Ms Car said.
“When students outsource their learning – whether that is to tutors, classmates, or artificial intelligence – they are missing out on the rigorous, high-quality education they need to set themselves up for the future.”
NSW Education Standards Authority chief executive Paul Martin said the new measures are a starting point.
“Generative AI may offer students a shortcut to complex school work, but it bypasses the opportunity to build knowledge and learning,” Mr Martin said.
“It is not an overstatement to say the consequences of that could be severe over time.
“We have a moral obligation to the students and teachers of NSW to protect the learning process, the integrity of assessments, and to maintain confidence in the HSC credential.”