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The New Zealand Qualifications Authority (NZQA) has not changed its stance on abbreviations in exams and has no separate policy for text-speak, a spokesman has said.
School principals today reacted angrily to comments by NZQA deputy chief executive of qualifications Bali Haque that credit would be given in this year's NCEA exams if the answer "clearly shows the required understanding", even if text abbreviations were used.
Abbreviations are widely used in mobile phone text messaging and include abbreviations such as "2moro" for tomorrow, "cul8r" for see you later and "gr8" for great.
>> Principals oppose text language in exams
A huge majority of readers' views received by nzherald.co.nz condemned their acceptance in exams.
But NZQA spokesman Steve Rendle this afternoon said there had been no change in the authority's policy on abbreviations in NCEA (National Certificate of Educational Achievement) exams.
"NZQA strongly discourages the use of text-speak or any abbreviations -- the priority for candidates is to be as clear as possible," he said.
He said NZQA had no separate policy for text message short cuts in exams and had made no change on its general policy on abbreviations.
"Where language is an important part of the standard being assessed, candidates could be penalised for using abbreviations. Clear answers are what the markers are looking for."
Mr Rendle said there was some leeway, depending on the standard being examined.
"If it requires the candidate to demonstrate good language, grammar structure and spelling, obviously they'd be penalised for using abbreviations.
"But if language isn't a big part of the standard, use of abbreviations or incorrect spelling isn't necessarily going to affect marks."
Meanwhile, National Party education spokesman Bill English said today that accepting text-speak answers in exams was "ridiculous" and Education Minister Steve Maharey should stamp it out.
"The minister and the NZQA are more interested in trying to look cool than in ensuring high standards in the classroom," Mr English said.
"Most students are smart enough to know that they need to use standard English to communicate their ideas but this decision gives them licence to slack off. Students I have spoken to just can't believe their luck."
He said using text-speak was an unacceptable way of expressing an academic argument or idea and that students should communicate in exams the way they would in the workplace.
"At a time when the Government should be doing all it can to build confidence in NCEA, this barmy decision will only further undermine confidence in the troubled qualification," Mr English said.
Mr English raised the issue in Parliament today, asking Mr Maharey what he thought about the use of text-speak in exams.
"There has been no change in the approach to the use of abbreviations," Mr Maharey said.
"Students are actively encouraged from using abbreviations in exam answers."
Trying to get a straight answer, Mr English then asked: "Does that mean that text language will be allowed, or not allowed?"
Mr Maharey: "It means that abbreviations are usually allowed if they are appropriate in examinations but text language would of course be inappropriate so therefore it would be of no use to a student."
- NZPA
