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Community learning
The SACE Board has recognition arrangements for students who successfully undertake community learning.
Students can count up to 90 credits of community learning at Stage 1 and/or Stage 2 towards the completion requirements of the SACE.
Recognition of community learning is not granted against the compulsory requirements of the SACE: Exploring Identities and Futures (at Stage 1), Activating Identities and Futures or Research Project (at Stage 2), literacy and numeracy requirements, or the requirement for 60 credits at C– or better at Stage 2.
Community learning includes community- developed programs or self-directed programs approved by the SACE Board.
On this page
Community-developed programs
There are over 50 organisations that offer programs that are eligible for recognition towards the SACE, including the Australian Music Examinations Board, The Duke of Edinburgh's International Award, and the SA Country Fire Service.
Students who are seeking recognition of learning gained in community-developed programs should submit an application to their school’s SACE coordinator. The SACE coordinator must sight and sign appropriate documentary evidence to support a student’s application, and submit to the SACE Board.
Community organisations are also invited to apply to the SACE Board if they wish their community program to be considered for recognition towards the SACE.
- Community Learning Application Form [DOC 638KB]
- Guidelines for approving community-developed programs [DOC 168KB].
The SACE Board will base its decision on the evaluation of a range of information provided by the community organisation (e.g. curriculum documents, syllabuses or guidelines, evidence of student performance at various levels, evidence of quality assurance mechanisms) against the learning to be gained through SACE Board-accredited subjects.
Self-directed programs
Individual students can participate in activities that are not formally accredited. Examples of this type of learning include:
- creating media productions (e.g. films, websites) outside school
- performing in sport at an elite level or officiating at sporting events
- planning and coordinating community events
- taking a leadership role in community groups
- taking a leadership role in the workplace
- taking responsibility for the care of an older adult or person with a disability
- teaching others specialised skills (e.g. dance).
Students who are seeking recognition of learning gained through self-directed community learning should submit an application to their school’s SACE coordinator.
- Recognition application — self-directed community learning (Form 11) [PDF 194KB]
- Community Learning Application Form [DOC 200KB]
Applications for recognition for Stage 2 learning, or combinations of Stage 1 and Stage 2 learning, must be authorised by the principal or the principal’s delegate and sent to the SACE Board.
Students applying for credits at Stage 1 will be interviewed by a school-based assessor.
Students applying for Stage 2 credits, or a combination of credits at Stage 1 and Stage 2, will be interviewed by both a school-based assessor and a SACE Board assessor.
Each student will be assessed against two assessment criteria:
- knowledge and application
- reflection and critical thinking.
The following documents are used to support teachers and students through the process.
- Performance requirements [PDF 101KB]
- Sample interview questions [PDF 118KB]
- Stage 1 performance checklist [PDF 55KB]
- Stage 2 performance checklist [PDF 56KB]
- Record of Evidence form [PDF 27KB]
- Student preparation sheet [PDF 914KB]
- The eight areas of community learning [DOC 113KB]
If insufficient evidence is provided, the student should be given the opportunity to provide more evidence at a later date.