1. In accordance with Curriculum Minute 0091/2005, the continuous assessment and final examination of Business Economics will be conducted according to the national guidelines as from January 2006.

2. This will have a significant impact on the format of the Business Economics examination, as well on the different components for continuous assessment in that subject. The following aspects need to be carefully noted and should be read in conjunction with the National Assessment Guidelines for the Senior Certificate: Business Economics:

3. THE FINAL WRITTEN EXAMINATION (National Assessment Guidelines, page 4)
3.1 The mark allocation has been changed to 400 for Higher Grade and 300 for Standard Grade. The duration of the paper remains three hours. This has important implications for the setting of question papers and the marking of scripts. Examples of both Higher and Standard Grade question papers, with marking memoranda, will soon be available on the WCED Business Economics website at http://curriculum.wcape.school.za, and will be discussed at EMDC standard-setting cluster meetings to be held during the first term of 2006.
3.2 The syllabus coverage and weighting (page 7) has also been amended. Teachers need to take note of the different cognitive levels at which the papers will be set. (Para. 4.4)
3.3 Regarding the section on the elaboration of the syllabi (paragraph 4.5, pages 7 to 15), significant changes of emphasis have been made with regard to certain topics and these need to be implemented meticulously.

4. CONTINUOUS ASSESSMENT (CASS)
4.1 The CASS mark will still constitute 25% of the final promotion mark. However, the composition of the different CASS items has been amended and teachers need to implement these changes with immediate effect.
4.1.1 Formal Examination: The formal preparatory examination constitutes 20% of CASS mark.
4.1.2 Controlled quarterly tests (paragraph 5.1.1): Two quarterly tests need to be included in the CASS, i.e. the 1st term quarterly test and the June examination. Furthermore, the contents of the controlled tests have been changed.

The first term quarterly test must include the work done during the first term. The minimum mark allocation for Higher Grade is 130 marks, and Standard Grade 100 marks. (Time allocation: 1 hour) The structure of each question paper and the standard of the questions must be similar to that of the final examination papers. i.e. Sections A, B and C (Higher Grade), and Sections A and B (Standard Grade)

The June examination needs to conform to the same structure, time allocation and mark allocation as the trial (September) examination, as stipulated in paragraph 5.1.2 of the Assessment Guidelines. It will, however, cover only the work done up to that stage. For the HG essay section, three questions must be set, of which the learners must answer two. No choices may be offered for the other questions (HG and SG).
4.1.3 Other forms of assessment (Refer to Assessment Guidelines, paragraph 5.13)

  • Class tests: A minimum of SIX. The minimum number of marks for a Higher Grade test is 60 marks, and for a Standard Grade test 50 marks. (Time allocated: 30 minutes)

  • Assignments: A minimum of TWO An assignment could consist of EITHER a subject skill task OR a current business topic task OR a combination of both. All assignments are to count 50 marks and are to be assessed by means of rubric or a memorandum or a combination of the two.

  • Research project: ONE research project that counts 100 marks, converted to 20 marks. The project is to be assessed by means of a rubric only. (Teachers may adapt the rubric previously used in the CASS Transition Guidelines, pages 37 – 39, or any other suitable rubric that applies the recommended criteria.)

  • Learner involvement: (Task of 25 marks converted to 5 marks) The teacher may set ONE individual task per learner that assesses the individual learner’s involvement over a period of time (e.g. two months). It should include the criteria required for learner involvement (refer to Assessment Guideline document, pages 21 and 22). This should be assessed by means of a rubric that includes the recommended criteria for this form of assessment.

Examples of suitable recommended tasks with accompanying rubrics, as well as electronic mark sheet templates, are available on the Business Economics website (Resources page) at http://curriculum.wcape.school.za/site/28/res/view, and will be discussed with teachers by the EMDC curriculum advisers during the cluster standard setting meetings to be held during the first term of 2006.
4.1.4 It is recommended that a similar CASS programme be implemented for Grade 11 in 2006.
4.1.5 Schedule for completion of CASS tasks

Each EMDC curriculum adviser will negotiate an attainable moderation schedule per cluster in order to successfully complete and moderate the CASS items for the year.
5. Principals are kindly requested to ensure that the content of this curriculum minute is brought to the attention of all Business Economics subject heads and teachers.


SIGNED: J.P. RAULT-SMITH
HEAD: EDUCATION
DATE: 2006:02:13

National Assessment Guidelines for the Senior Certificate: Business Economics  (size: 195 KB)