Modified Arrangements for Coursework Assessment Policy

Effective from 1 January 2012

1. Practicability and reasonableness

2. Consistency and fairness

3. Types of modified arrangements

4. Eligibility for modified arrangements

5. Deferred Modified Arrangements

6. Academic transcript

7. Program and course exemptions

8. Procedures and outcomes

Responsibilities
Authorities

OVERVIEW

The Assessment for Coursework Programs Policy includes the following principle:

Assessment practices must be fair and equitable to students and give them the opportunity to demonstrate what they have learned…

This Modified Arrangements for Coursework Assessment Policy acknowledges that students who obtain a fail grade in a course may warrant a second chance to demonstrate that they have met the learning outcomes of that course. The policy extends this safety net to students who fail the last course required to complete their academic program.

The policy further acknowledges that students may be academically disadvantaged when special needs or unforeseen circumstances impair their ability to complete assessment tasks by or on the specified date.

It sets out the grounds and processes for granting modified assessment arrangements.

SCOPE AND APPLICATION

This policy applies to all students enrolled in a University of Adelaide course or courses which can or do form part of a University of Adelaide coursework program.

It complements the Assessment for Coursework Programs Policy and the Academic Honesty and Assessment Obligations for Coursework Students Policy.

The Reasonable Adjustments to Teaching and Assessment for Students with a Disability Policy applies to students who have a functional limitation resulting from a temporary or permanent disability, illness or medical condition. If the circumstance affecting the student is unrelated to the disability, then this Modified Arrangements for Coursework Assessment Policy applies.

PRINCIPLES

1. Practicability and reasonableness

Modified arrangements for coursework assessment may only be offered when academically practicable and reasonable, and provided the integrity of the total assessment scheme is maintained.

2. Consistency and fairness

Modified arrangements must be applied consistently and fairly.

3. Types of modified arrangements

Modified arrangements may take one of three forms:

3.1 Assessment Task Extension:

For eligible students whose capacity to demonstrate their true level of competence in an assessment task was, is or will be seriously impaired because of medical, compassionate or extenuating circumstances.

a. Assessment Task Extension dates must provide a reasonable time, given the nature of the student's circumstances, for the student to complete the task without giving the student an unfair advantage over other students in the course. Unless there are exceptional circumstances (see 3.1.d.), a reasonable time does not extend beyond 10 business days or the last day on which teaching may occur in the relevant teaching period, whichever is earlier.

b. For all Assessment Task Extensions, the University's approved Mark and Grade Scheme applies in full.

c. Where the application of clause 1 prevents a modified arrangement for assessment being offered to an otherwise eligible student,

i. if the original assessment task is worth less than 20%, the final grade may, at the absolute discretion of the decision-maker, be determined by averaging the student's work over the whole course, provided the student has completed all other assessment tasks and it is to the student's advantage, or

ii. the student may be permitted to withdraw from the course without a Fail grade

d. Exceptions: In circumstances which, in the opinion of the decision-maker, are exceptional,

i. other modified arrangements for assessment for an individual student may be approved, or

ii. a student who cannot complete an assessment within a reasonable time may be permitted to withdraw without a Fail grade, or may be given an extended, specified period of time to complete the assessment with an interim Result Pending grade, provided other students in the course are not disadvantaged by any such arrangement

3.2 Replacement Examination: for eligible students whose capacity to demonstrate their true level of competence in a final examination was, is or will be seriously impaired because of medical, compassionate or extenuating circumstances.

a. A Replacement Examination tests the same areas as were covered by the original examination.

b. When a student is granted a Replacement Examination, the mark for the Replacement Examination is counted in full towards the final grade. In the case of students who have already sat a primary examination, this applies whether the mark for the Replacement Examination is higher or lower than the mark for the primary examination, or if the mark for a Replacement Examination results in a Fail grade. A student's attendance at a Replacement Examination constitutes acceptance that the mark for the Replacement Examination will replace the mark for the primary examination.

c. For the purposes of this policy, a final examination means a final compulsory assessment for a course where a student must perform the whole of the assessment on a specified day and time in a specified place and under supervision.

3.3 Additional Assessment: a second opportunity for eligible students who obtain a Fail grade in a course to demonstrate the required skills, knowledge and other course outcomes.

a. The maximum mark/grade for a course for which an Additional Assessment is granted is 50 Pass or Non-Graded Pass in accord with the University's approved Mark and Grade Schemes.

b. The nature of the Additional Assessment task is determined by the Course Coordinator, and may take any form provided it complies with the Assessment for Coursework Programs Policy.

c. Where a student is eligible for both a Replacement Examination and an Additional Assessment, the Replacement Examination takes precedence. A student who sits a Replacement Examination will not be eligible for an Additional Assessment, even if their grade for the course, following the Replacement Examination, meets the eligibility requirements of 4.2.

4. Eligibility for modified arrangements

4.1 Assessment Task Extensions and Replacement Examinations

Subject to clause 1, a student is eligible for an Assessment Task Extension or Replacement Examination if

a. the student's capacity to demonstrate their true level of competence in the assessment task was, is or will be seriously impaired because of

i. medical circumstances, i.e. serious, personal medical issues, or

ii. compassionate circumstances, i.e. serious suffering or misfortune outside the student's control, or

iii. extenuating circumstances, limited to the following

-- religious obligations

-- formal legal commitments

-- military service

-- service with a recognised emergency management service

-- representing the University, State or nation at a significant sporting or cultural event

-- participation in a sporting event, provided the student is an approved elite athlete, or

--timetable clash for tests or examinations (but not assignment deadlines)

and

b the student provides documented, independent evidence of the nature of the circumstances and their impact on the student's capacity to demonstrate their true level of competence, as specified on the Application Form.

4.2 Additional Assessment

a. Subject to clause 1 of this policy (practicability and reasonableness), where

i. the final assessment task in a course is weighted at 20% or more of the total course assessment,

and the student

ii. has received a Fail grade with an underlying mark of 45-49%, or a Fail grade for the last course they require for completion of their academic program, and

iii. has met specified attendance requirements of that course, and

iv. has completed (not necessarily passed) all specified, mandated assessment tasks

the student is eligible for Additional Assessment.

Note: Not meeting a hurdle requirement does not necessarily mean a student is ineligible for an Additional Assessment. For further information on hurdle requirements, see the CLPD website.

b. Exceptions: An Assessment Review Committee, established and carrying out duties under Quality Assurance clause 1 of the Assessment for Coursework Programs Policy, may, in consultation with the Course Coordinator, grant an Additional Assessment where a student's underlying mark is below 45%.

5. Deferred Modified Arrangements

Where, in the opinion of the decision-maker, exceptional Medical or Compassionate circumstances arise after a student is granted a modified arrangement for assessment, or exceptional Extenuating Circumstances cause a conflict with the modified arrangement, the student may apply for a further modified arrangement.

The outcomes may be:

a. A further Assessment Task Extension date, or Replacement Examination date, provided the assessment task can be completed within the time at which a Result Pending grade is automatically converted to a Fail grade unless a final grade is entered, or

b. as per 3.1.c. or d above.

Note not forming part of policy: When the time period at which a Result Pending grade is automatically converted to a Fail grade is known, and publicised by Student Administration, this part of the policy should be updated to include a time reference in place of the words "within the time at which a Result Pending grade is automatically converted to a Fail grade unless a final grade is entered" - and this note deleted.

6. Academic transcript

Only the final, official result appears on an official academic transcript.

7. Program and course exemptions

The Deputy Vice-Chancellor and Vice-President (Academic) may exempt from the application of clause 4.2 of this policy (Additional Assessment):

a. an entire academic program for up to five years

b. a course for up to two years

if, in the Deputy Vice-Chancellor and Vice-President (Academic)'s opinion, there are sound academic reasons for doing so.

Such exemptions must be recorded in a Schedule to this policy, and reported to the Assessment Monitoring Committee.

8. Procedures and outcomes

The procedures for applying for modified arrangements for coursework assessment, and the outcomes available, are set out in table format in the Modified Arrangements Procedures.
Exception: For assignments comprising 20% or less of the total assessment scheme, Course Coordinators may vary the strict application of the evidentiary and procedural requirements for Assessment Task Extensions, provided it is to the advantage of the student, variations are applied consistently and the nature and conditions of the modified arrangement are documented (including by exchange of emails).

RESPONSIBILITIES

	Task	Responsibility
1.	Information to students
a.	Ensure students are informed of this policy and procedures.	Course Coordinator
b.	Ensure that any restrictions on the availability of modified arrangements due to the application of Principle 1 are clearly stated in the Course Profile	Course Coordinator
2.	Decisions and implementation
a.	Ensure that, as part of the Course Approval and Review process, assessment tasks or schemes which do not permit modified arrangements due to the application of Principle 1 are reviewed and approved.	Executive Dean
b.	Ensure that each Faculty/School/course has a designated officer or committee appointed as decision-maker on applications for: 1. Replacement Examinations in medical or compassionate circumstances, and 2. Last Course Additional Assessments and on 3. Exceptional arrangements under clause 3.1.d or clause 5. A designated officer may be an academic, usually the Course Coordinator, or an administrative staff member. [Authorities for decisions on Replacement Examinations in extenuating circumstances, and Assessment Task Extensions are as set out in the Authorities to this policy.]	Executive Dean
c.	Review Fail Grades as part of the Assessment Review Process, and identify students who are eligible for Additional Assessment (except Last Course Additional Assessment).	Assessment Review Committee, as established under Quality Assurance Clause 1 of the Assessment for Coursework Programs Policy
d.	Ensure there are appropriate business processes for timely implementation of all decisions on modified arrangements for assessment.	Executive Dean
3.	Application forms
a.	Regularly review and update University-wide application forms, including details of approved individual decision-makers or categories of decision-makers by Faculty	General Manager, Student Services & Administration

AUTHORITIES

Key	Authority Category	Authority	Delegation holder	Limit
Academic	Assessment	Vary the strict application of the Procedures, provided it is to the advantage of the student and variations are applied consistently.	Course Coordinator
Academic	Assessment	Approve applications for Assessment Task Extensions	Course Coordinator
Academic	Assessment	Approve applications for Replacement Examinations in Medical or Compassionate Circumstances and Last Course Additional Assessment	Designated officer/s or committee as specified by Executive Dean
Academic	Assessment	Approve the determination of a grade under clause 3.1.c. (averaging a student's work over whole course in specified circumstances)	Faculty Assessment Review Committee on recommendation of Course Coordinator
Academic	Assessment	Approve exceptional modified assessment arrangements under clause 3.1.d.	Designated officer/s or committee as specified by Executive Dean
Academic	Assessment	Approve applications for Replacement Examinations in Extenuating Circumstances	For centrally organised exams: the Examinations Officer, except in case where student has a medical disability For locally organised exams: the Course Coordinator or Head of School	As specified in Part 3 of the Modified Arrangements for Assessment Procedures
Academic	Assessment	Approve an offer of an Additional Assessment under clause 4.2 (other than Last Course Additional Assessment)	Faculty Assessment Review Committee in consultation with the Course Coordinator
Academic	Assessment	Approve exemptions from the application of part or all of this policy for programs or courses	Deputy Vice-Chancellor and Vice-President (Academic)	Exemptions must be reported to Assessment Monitoring Committee
Academic	Assessment	Approve University-wide application form/s	General Manager, Student Services & Administration
Academic	Assessment	Approve changes to the Modified Arrangements Procedures	Deputy Vice-Chancellor and Vice-President (Academic)

Please use the following URL instead of linking to individual documents:
https://www.adelaide.edu.au/policies/3303