The standardized A to E grading system was introduced by the State Government in 2006. Research indicates that the allocation of A-E grade varies widely and is often used to show effort rather than performance. Inconsistencies are systematically embedded across grades, stages and schools and jurisdictions. The NSWPPA stakeholders throughout schools have voiced the need for greater professional learning regarding consistency in assessment, evaluation, and reporting practices.

The NSWPPA has found that the mandatory use A to E grades in schools has not served schools, parents/carers, teachers or students well. New technologies and national resources have made this reporting scale outdated and no longer meeting the learning needs of students.

Therefore, shortly the NSWPPA will formally request NESA to review how student learning outcomes are reported and recommends to the Minister the abandonment of A-E grading in favour of an individual growth model that focuses on cumulative progress, advice on next steps and future learning strategies.