Robert QuinnRobert Quinn

Head of Humanities and Social Sciences

BackgroundBackground

• Ministerial announcement in June 2008

• Scottish Baccalaureates in Science and Languages to be introduced in August 2009

• First certification in August 2010

• SQA has worked with Scottish Government and key stakeholders to develop detail of the qualification

Aims of the Scottish Baccalaureates Aims of the Scottish Baccalaureates in Science and Languagesin Science and Languages

• promote sciences and languages as valued and important areas for study and employment

• raise the status and value of S6 and motivate learners in their last year of school

• provide qualifications which are valued for entry to higher education

• provide a bridge between school and higher education/employment

• encourage collaboration between schools and further/higher education institutions

• encourage greater coherence in study in fifth and sixth years

• allow learners to relate and apply learning to realistic contexts

• enable learners to compete in the international job market

• develop the generic skills needed for learning, employment and life

Aims of the Scottish Baccalaureates Aims of the Scottish Baccalaureates in Science and Languagesin Science and LanguagesAims of the Scottish Baccalaureates Aims of the Scottish Baccalaureates in Science and Languagesin Science and Languages

Design specificationDesign specification

Mandatory components

• 2 AH Courses• 1 Higher Course• AH Interdisciplinary Project Unit (graded A,B or C)

Must include• two eligible modern/classical Language Courses• English/ESOL/Gaidhlig Course

Mandatory components

• 2 AH Courses• 1 Higher Course• AH Interdisciplinary Project Unit (graded A,B or C)

Must include• two eligible Science Courses• Maths/Applied Maths Course

LanguagesLanguages ScienceScience

Design specificationDesign specification

The Scottish Baccalaureates in Science and Languages will be awarded at :

PassPass or DistinctionDistinction

Criteria forCriteria for DistinctionDistinction::

• Grade AGrade A in one eligible Advanced Higher Course

• Grade AGrade A in one other component of the Baccalaureate

• Grade BGrade B or above in all other mandatory components

Design featuresDesign features

• not a full programme of study in S5 and S6

• builds on existing curriculum

• those taking Baccalaureates will have the opportunity to take other Courses

• opportunity to add value through AH interdisciplinary project

The Interdisciplinary ProjectThe Interdisciplinary Project

• Advanced Higher level Unit (SCQF level 7)

• SQA double-credit Unit (16 SCQF credit points)

• graded – A,B,C

• provides the added value through– a broadening experience– skills development – meaningful contact with

HE/FE/employers.

KeyKey featuresfeatures

• application or extension of subject knowledge in a relevant context

• focus on generic and cognitive skills development

e.g. - collaborative working

- information management

- communication and presentation

• opportunity to access different learning environments

• learner negotiation of context and theme for project

PurposePurpose

• learn independently

• apply learning, drawing on specialism and other areas of curriculum

• make connections between science/ languages and the world in which they live learn and work

Next StepsNext Steps

• Arrangement documentsArrangement documents published on SQA’s Website March

• Launch eventsLaunch events (x2) end of April

• Assessment Support PacksAssessment Support Packs published on SQA’s Website May