Having trouble logging in? Refer to 'Troubleshoot logging into the application dashboard' below.

How to log in

1. Go to https://shsoc.education.nsw.gov.au and select ‘Log in’ from the lower section of the page.
2. Enter your email address (that you used when registering for your online application).
3. Enter your password.
4. Select ‘Log in’.
5. A confirmation code will be sent to your email address.
   
   You may need to wait up to 10 minutes for the code to be received. The code is valid for 15 minutes. Check your Spam or Junk folders also. Please do not keep clicking on 'Resend confirmation code' otherwise your code will get out of sync.
6. Enter the code in the space provided and select ‘Confirm’.

Troubleshooting

Forgotten password

• If you have forgotten your password, select ‘Forgot your password’ to be sent an email to reset it (link is valid 2 hours).
  
  If you experience difficulty re-setting a new password, ensure you have entered 14 characters which includes capital and uppercase letters, a number and a special character.
• Check your Spam or Junk folder.

Wrong confirmation code

• If the wrong confirmation code is entered an error will appear. You will have 3 attempts to enter a valid confirmation code.
• You may also select ‘Resend confirmation code’ to receive a new confirmation code (via email) to enter.
• If you have entered 3 wrong codes, you will need to go back to the login page and re-start the log in process (each code will remain valid for 15 minutes).

Need more help?

If you still can’t log in please email: set@det.nsw.edu.au.

Transcript of video animation: ‘Understanding your child's Performance report Transcript’ (4 minutes 25 seconds)

[music]

There are three test components that make up the opportunity class placement test. Reading, Mathematical Reasoning and Thinking Skills.

The Selective High School Placement Test is made up of four components: Reading, Mathematical Reasoning, Thinking Skills and Writing.

The Performance reports show how a child performed compared to the other students who sat the test.

The white box with the coloured icon shows a child's performance. For each component of the test, the students are placed in rank order. For example, if 15,000 students sat the Selective High School Placement Test roughly 1,500 students form the top 10% for each test component. The next 15% of students make up the top 25% of students. The next 25% of students make up the top 50% and the remaining 50% of students form the final 50% of students. In this example, that is 7,500 students.

It is important to understand that the Performance report does not show the percentage of correct answers a child has achieved for any of the test components.

For example, if a child is in the top 10% for Reading, this does not mean that they scored 90%. It means the child has achieved a result that places them in the top 10% of students who completed that reading test.

Likewise, a score in the lowest 50% for Thinking Skills does not mean a child failed that test component. It means the child's results place them in the lowest 50% of students that took the Thinking Skills test. In fact, for each test component, half of the students will be placed in the lower 50% and there is no pass or fail mark for any of the test components.

The placement tests are designed for one specific purpose. To identify students who will benefit from placement in an opportunity class or selective high school.

The questions do not measure knowledge of the school curriculum, but rather problem solving and critical thinking ability, and therefore cannot be used as a diagnostic tool to identify curriculum areas where children can improve.

For many children, the Opportunity Class Placement Test or the Selective High School Placement Test is one of their first formal testing experiences. Therefore, it is important to consider if and how you will share a child's results with them.

Many children who sit the tests are used to performing well academically, and they may be disappointed if they did not achieve similar results to those they achieve at school. If sharing the Performance report with a child, please emphasise that the test is not an indication of how well they are doing at school or how well they are doing in comparison to other students in their grade.

The questions on the test are designed to challenge gifted and high potential students who are already able to perform at the very top of their grade level. There is no pass or fail mark, and only about one in eight students are successful in gaining a place in an opportunity class and a quarter of students are successful in gaining a selective high school place.

Also, it is important to highlight what the child has achieved. Taking the test is an achievement in itself, and it can help to acknowledge and celebrate this.

For further information about the opportunity class and selective high school placement process, please visit our website.

[music fades]

[End of transcript]

Parents, students and schools have told us that past reporting of scores was impacting upon student privacy and wellbeing. For example, encouraging unhealthy competition between students.

Also, the placement tests are designed for one purpose – to identify students who will benefit from placement in a selective high school or opportunity class.

Your child's performance on the test cannot be used for any other purpose. The questions do not measure their knowledge of the school curriculum. So their performance cannot be used to judge how your child's learning is developing at school.

There are no set minimum entry scores to receive an offer to a selective high school or opportunity class.

This is because the level of test performance required for each school depends on:

• the number of students who apply
• their relative performance in the placement test
• the number of places available
• how many offers are declined by parents or carers (for offers from the reserve lists).

For help with deciding upon your school choices go to What to think about when choosing your schools.

Enrolment into a selective high school cannot be deferred.

If you need to delay your child’s attendance beyond the first day of the school year, you must discuss this with the principal of the selective high school (or message the Selective Education Team if there is a need to negotiate a delay during school holidays).

Enrolment into an opportunity class cannot be deferred.

If you need to delay your child’s attendance beyond the first day of the school year, you must discuss this with the principal of the school (or message the Selective Education Team if there is a need to negotiate a delay during school holidays) .

The selection committee reviews and decides on placement for students who:

• are outside the usual age or Year range
• need consideration under the Equity Placement Model
• other relevant factors brought to their attention.

Based on performance in the placement test and the above considerations, the selection committee determines students to be listed for offers and reserve places according to the number of vacancies at the chosen opportunity class or selective high school.

Outcome appeal

All decisions made by the selection committee and appeals panel are based on the way students are ranked by performance in the placement test, for placement in opportunity classes or selective high schools.

All valid appeals will be considered by an appeals panel. The panel will include two principals of a selective high school or school with an opportunity class, and a Director, Educational Leadership.

Appeals must be submitted by parents and carers through the application dashboard by the due date listed in the key dates (typically 5 business days after placement outcomes are released). No late appeals will be accepted.

Appeals must include relevant supporting documentary evidence. This may include:

• documentation from medical practitioners
• evidence of unforeseen circumstances

All relevant documentary evidence must be included with an appeal when it is submitted. Once submitted, appeals cannot be edited or updated. The Selective Education Team will not request additional evidence, and any evidence received outside of the appeal will not be considered.

Only valid appeals with sufficient supporting evidence will be referred to the appeals panel. Appeals where any available valid adjustment would not make a difference to the placement outcome will not be passed on to the appeals panel.

Appeal decisions are final.

Invalid grounds for appeal

Invalid grounds for appeal include:

• matters that should have, or already have been dealt with in an illness/misadventure request
• lack of knowledge about the option to submit an illness/misadventure request and/or lack of knowledge about the illness/misadventure process
• concern about changes to the selection processes or the use of computer-based testing
• misunderstanding of the placement process
• the student’s academic performance on the practice opportunity class or selective high school placement tests on the Selective Education team’s website or other measurements or reports, such as IQ score, NAPLAN results, International Competition and Assessments for Schools (ICAS) testing, school reports or certificates and scholarship or coaching college testing
• parent, carer or student disappointment at not receiving an offer or not being placed on a reserve list
• young age of the student, lack of test preparation, educational disadvantage and the perceived failure of the student to demonstrate their potential
• perceived advantage the student may gain from placement in an opportunity class or selective high school, including but not limited to, travel convenience, attendance with friends or siblings (including twins/triplets), or benefits to the family.

How to submit an appeal against your placement outcome

First, review information about appeals included on this webpage. If you believe you have valid reasons for appeal, proceed with these steps:

1. Log in to your application dashboard.
2. Go to the Application section, select the 3 dots under the Action column and then select Start appeal.
3. Fill in the form (as per the next steps below)
4. Answer Yes or No to your child sitting the test.
5. Enter the Grounds for your appeal in detail in the space provided.
6. Attach your supporting evidence that clearly supports all of your points in your appeal. A maximum of 3 documents can be provided. Note: no additional documents or information can be added to the appeal after it is submitted. Ensure you include all necessary information in this request and submit it before the appeal period ends. Refer to Key dates for more information.
   
7. Select Submit appeal once you have completed all sections. You will be notified of the outcome of your appeal. Refer to Key dates for more information.

A message will show confirming your appeal has been submitted.

How to view or withdraw your appeal

You can view your appeal or withdraw your appeal by selecting the 3 dots in the Action column for your application from the homepage of your dashboard.

How are outcome appeals decided?

The appeals panel meets to consider and decide the outcome for all appeals.

The appeals panel includes a selective high school principal or an opportunity class principal and a Director, Educational Leadership.

After the appeals panel meets, parents will be told about their outcome – see Key dates.

Malpractice appeals

Parents and carers can appeal against the result of their malpractice appeal.

A link to appeal this decision will be available in the malpractice letter sent to parents and carers. The appeal must be submitted by the due date noted in the letter.