Legislative Council Tuesday 19 March, 2019

Ms FORREST question to LEADER of the GOVERNMENT in the LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL, Mrs HISCUTT

With regard to the role of the Office of Tasmanian Assessment, Standards and Certification (TASC) and the independent audit initiated by the Minister for Education and Training to investigate how Tertiary Entrance Scores for some units and, therefore, incorrect ATAR rankings, were issued in December 2018;

1. What was the procedural error identified in the calculation of Tertiary Entrance Scores for some Tasmanian students, following the release of results by the TASC;

2. How was the error identified;

3. Who, or which company, is undertaking the audit;

4. When is it expected to be completed; and

5. What is the scope of the audit?

ANSWER:

1. There was no error in the calculation of Tertiary Entrance Scores for Tasmanian students in 2018.  

As a result of human error, data was transposed such that results had been applied to students incorrectly.  

2. The issue was identified when enquiries from students and parents were received, and was resolved within 12 hours.  

3. KPMG undertook the audit. 

4. The audit was complete in February 2019.  

5. The scope of the audit was to:

• consider the current processes and controls in place regarding importing and validating data in relation to tertiary entrance scores and ATAR results, focusing on scaling HAP / UCP results 

• consider the processes for transferring results from Education Performance and Review to the Office of Tasmanian Assessment, Standards and Certification and any validation checks which may be in place.