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ATAR’s value low in uncapped system: Vann
ATAR cut-offs are not useful measurements of student potential in the demand-driven system, the vice-chancellor of Charles Sturt University has argued.
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Not only is the ATAR system not very useful for entry into many tertiary courses but at the same time it is a massive constraint on the effectiveness of the provision of K-12 school education. Most of the ATAR score is determined by short paper exams that have questionable measurement validity but then form a rationale behind a lot of activity in schools. This makes it difficult for teachers to provide learning programmes that are relevant to societal and individual needs, and engaging for the breadth of students they encounter.
I failed at high school, miserably.
I was only barely above the cut-off where one is given an ATAR/UAI at all. Fortunately, I gained entry to a University in spite of this, and quickly became a High Distinction University student who just barely missed out on the University medal (damnable solitary 2nd-Year Distinction!!!).
Sure, it’s one anecdotal data-point, but from my perspective the ATAR is a completely useless indicator of ability to achieve in Higher Education. I am thankful there was absolutely zero correlation between my performance in an appalling standardized testing regime which boiled my knowledge and skills down to a single number, and my aptitude for learning and excelling at University.
It’s time to get rid of the ATAR, and the testing, and the pressures that are placed upon teenagers at school – none of it is relevant to anything whatsoever.