What Might be Beyond the ATAR?

Attention! Senior secondary teachers and school leaders. Exciting developments are brewing in senior secondary education. We invite you to join the conversation.

Many argue that Australia’s existing senior secondary assessment and recognition system is no longer fit-for-purpose. The ATAR has long been a trusted mechanism for tertiary admissions. The development of new metrics to assess and recognise a broader range of skills and competencies now brings with it an opportunity to supplement, or in some cases replace, the ATAR. But what might a change look like?

An answer being explored is the use of learner profiles in tertiary admissions processes. Learner profiles allow students to be assessed on a broader range of skills, competencies, and knowledge. A broader assessment and recognition system could reduce the existing emphasis on standardised examinations in senior secondary and transform learning design in secondary education. This has the potential to shift our ‘ranking’ system to one focused on ‘matching’ students to appropriate pathways.

Since early 2023, invited schools have joined with The University of Melbourne’s Melbourne Metrics, to conduct the first stage of an exploration into the potential for new metrics and learner profiles to be used in tertiary admissions processes.

The results of the exploration to date are now ready to share! We invite all interested current secondary teachers and school leaders (from VIC, SA, NSW, TAS and NT) to join us online as we share:

• the detail and results of the exploration to date
• insights into what is shifting in Australian education
• an invitation to participate in the exploration in 2024 and beyond

We encourage you to share this invitation widely with your secondary school colleagues and friends. All welcome. We look forward to seeing you online on June 17.