Purpose
Achievement Criteria
Explanatory Note 1
Demonstrate understanding of decisions made in relation to a contemporary social issue involves:
- describing decisions made in relation to a contemporary social issue
- describing ethical considerations in the decisions made in relation to the contemporary social issue
- including relevant evidence in the description.
Explain decisions made in relation to a contemporary social issue involves:
- explaining impacts of the decisions made in relation to the contemporary social issue
- discussing the ethical considerations in the decisions made in relation to the contemporary social issue
- using evidence to support the explanation.
Examine decisions made in relation to a contemporary social issue involves:
- examining implications of the decisions made in relation to the contemporary social issue
- comparing the ethical considerations in the decisions made in relation to the contemporary social issue
- using evidence to develop the explanation.
Explanatory Note 2
A decision is a potential solution or resolution to an issue. It may be in the form of a plan, a law or policy change, or an agreement reached in relation to an issue.
Explanatory Note 3
A contemporary social issue refers to an issue that is currently affecting various people or places. For the purposes of this standard, a contemporary social issue must consider one or a combination of:
- the inclusion of diverse identities
- the impact on people’s rights
- the responsibilities and roles of social organisations
- the nature of power.
Explanatory Note 4
Ethical considerations refer to principles that promote fairness and respect. Examples of ethical considerations in relation to decisions made include:
- justice
- inclusivity
- equity
- self-determination
- integrity.
In an Aotearoa New Zealand context, ethical considerations may be guided by Te Tiriti o Waitangi.
Explanatory Note 5
Impacts are the direct effects on individuals, groups, or places. These could be short or long term, positive or negative.
Implications are the wider consequences for society. For the purposes of this standard, implications are wider consequences of decisions made in relation to the contemporary social issue.
Shared Explanatory Note
Refer to the NCEA glossary for Māori, Pacific, and further subject-specific terms and concepts.
This achievement standard is derived from the Social Sciences Learning Area at Level 6 of The New Zealand Curriculum: Learning Media, Ministry of Education, 2007.
External Assessment Specifications
The External Assessment Specifications are published by NZQA and can be found on their website using this link:
NZQA Social Studies
Unpacking the Standard
Mātauranga Māori constitutes concepts and principles that are richly detailed, complex, and fundamental to Māoridom. It is important to remember that the practice of these are wider and more varied than their use within the proposed NCEA Achievement Standards and supporting documentation.
We also recognise that the cultures, languages, and identities of the Pacific Islands are diverse, varied, and unique. Therefore the Pacific concepts, contexts, and principles that have been incorporated within NCEA Achievement Standards may have wide-ranging understandings and applications across and within the diversity of Pacific communities. It is not our intention to define what these concepts mean but rather offer some ways that they could be understood and applied within different subjects that kaiako and students alike can explore.
Mātauranga Māori constitutes concepts and principles that are richly detailed, complex, and fundamental to Māoridom. It is important to remember that the practice of these are wider and more varied than their use within the proposed NCEA Achievement Standards and supporting documentation.
We also recognise that the cultures, languages, and identities of the Pacific Islands are diverse, varied, and unique. Therefore the Pacific concepts, contexts, and principles that have been incorporated within NCEA Achievement Standards may have wide-ranging understandings and applications across and within the diversity of Pacific communities. It is not our intention to define what these concepts mean but rather offer some ways that they could be understood and applied within different subjects that kaiako and students alike can explore.
The intent of the Standard
The intent of this standard is for ākonga to engage with resources to demonstrate understanding of decisions made in relation to a contemporary social issue.
A contemporary social issue is an issue that is currently affecting various people or places. It is shaped by the past and impacts the present. A contemporary social issue is typically contested by different groups in society. The historical contexts and situations through which a contemporary social issue emerged should be considered.
A decision is a potential solution or resolution to the contemporary social issue. Ākonga will look at impacts of decisions made and ethical considerations behind these decisions, such as principles that promote fairness and respect. These include justice, inclusivity, equity, self-determination, and integrity. In an Aotearoa New Zealand context, ethical considerations may be guided by Te Tiriti o Waitangi. Ākonga will know that decision-making in relation to social issues can be multifaceted and there may not always be a single answer.
This Achievement Standard relates to the Significant Learning in which ākonga reflect on how people and groups make just and inclusive considerations to inform ethical decision-making. Additional Significant Learning can be clustered as part of the practice of Social Studies inquiry and linked to a social issue.
For example, the following Significant Learning could be clustered to explore a social issue:
- explore how power is exerted to influence multiple aspects of society and the impact on groups and communities
- explore different views about human rights and how they are valued and applied
- explore how and why identities and culture can be multiple and dynamic
- recognise that society's range of social organisation systems (such as social, political, cultural, spiritual) impact upon the rights, roles, and responsibilities of people and groups.
Making reliable judgements
To demonstrate understanding of decisions made in relation to a contemporary social issue, ākonga will describe the issue's main features, such as the people, groups, or communities involved. Ākonga will also identify and describe decisions made in relation to the issue, focusing on proposed solutions or resolutions made.
Ākonga will also describe ethical considerations that may have been taken into account in the decisions made. This includes looking at principles that promote fairness and respect in the solutions or resolutions, such as justice, inclusivity, equity, self-determination, or integrity. In an Aotearoa New Zealand context, ākonga may describe ethical considerations that are guided by Te Tiriti o Waitangi.
Ākonga will explain impacts of the decisions made on different people, groups, communities, or places. Impacts are the direct effects on individuals, groups, or places. These could be short term or long term, positive or negative. To discuss the ethical considerations in the decisions made, ākonga will give detailed information about the considerations and make connections between their ideas. Ākonga will use evidence from resources provided to support their explanations.
At higher levels of achievement, ākonga will examine implications of the decisions made in relation to the contemporary social issue. Implications refer to the wider consequences of the decisions made for society, including real and possible consequences. When comparing the ethical considerations, ākonga will show how they are similar or different across decisions made or within a decision made. Ākonga will also use evidence from resources provided to develop their explanations.
Collecting evidence
The Standard allows ākonga to show understanding of differing decisions made in relation to a contemporary social issue through engaging with previously unseen resources.
Evidence of understanding will come from the ability of ākonga to explain, describe, and compare decisions made in relation to the contemporary social issue and the stimulus materials ākonga draw from to support their explanations.
Possible contexts
In a teaching and learning programme, kaiako can support ākonga in exploring solutions and resolutions to a range of contemporary social issues, including ethical considerations that may contribute to solutions and resolutions. For the purposes of this Standard, a contemporary social issue must consider one or a combination of the following:
- the inclusion of diverse identities
- the impact on people's rights
- the responsibilities and roles of social organisations
- the nature of power.
Examples of contemporary social issues and related ethical considerations are:
- the protection of land rights — justice, self-determination
- discrimination and bias within different institutions and systems — inclusivity, equity
- attitudes to youth activism — inclusivity, equity, self-determination
- mining for resources — integrity, justice
- access to and/or cost of education — equity, inclusivity.
The intent of the Standard
The intent of this standard is for ākonga to engage with resources to demonstrate understanding of decisions made in relation to a contemporary social issue.
A contemporary social issue is an issue that is currently affecting various people or places. It is shaped by the past and impacts the present. A contemporary social issue is typically contested by different groups in society. The historical contexts and situations through which a contemporary social issue emerged should be considered.
A decision is a potential solution or resolution to the contemporary social issue. Ākonga will look at impacts of decisions made and ethical considerations behind these decisions, such as principles that promote fairness and respect. These include justice, inclusivity, equity, self-determination, and integrity. In an Aotearoa New Zealand context, ethical considerations may be guided by Te Tiriti o Waitangi. Ākonga will know that decision-making in relation to social issues can be multifaceted and there may not always be a single answer.
This Achievement Standard relates to the Significant Learning in which ākonga reflect on how people and groups make just and inclusive considerations to inform ethical decision-making. Additional Significant Learning can be clustered as part of the practice of Social Studies inquiry and linked to a social issue.
For example, the following Significant Learning could be clustered to explore a social issue:
- explore how power is exerted to influence multiple aspects of society and the impact on groups and communities
- explore different views about human rights and how they are valued and applied
- explore how and why identities and culture can be multiple and dynamic
- recognise that society's range of social organisation systems (such as social, political, cultural, spiritual) impact upon the rights, roles, and responsibilities of people and groups.
Making reliable judgements
To demonstrate understanding of decisions made in relation to a contemporary social issue, ākonga will describe the issue's main features, such as the people, groups, or communities involved. Ākonga will also identify and describe decisions made in relation to the issue, focusing on proposed solutions or resolutions made.
Ākonga will also describe ethical considerations that may have been taken into account in the decisions made. This includes looking at principles that promote fairness and respect in the solutions or resolutions, such as justice, inclusivity, equity, self-determination, or integrity. In an Aotearoa New Zealand context, ākonga may describe ethical considerations that are guided by Te Tiriti o Waitangi.
Ākonga will explain impacts of the decisions made on different people, groups, communities, or places. Impacts are the direct effects on individuals, groups, or places. These could be short term or long term, positive or negative. To discuss the ethical considerations in the decisions made, ākonga will give detailed information about the considerations and make connections between their ideas. Ākonga will use evidence from resources provided to support their explanations.
At higher levels of achievement, ākonga will examine implications of the decisions made in relation to the contemporary social issue. Implications refer to the wider consequences of the decisions made for society, including real and possible consequences. When comparing the ethical considerations, ākonga will show how they are similar or different across decisions made or within a decision made. Ākonga will also use evidence from resources provided to develop their explanations.
Collecting evidence
The Standard allows ākonga to show understanding of differing decisions made in relation to a contemporary social issue through engaging with previously unseen resources.
Evidence of understanding will come from the ability of ākonga to explain, describe, and compare decisions made in relation to the contemporary social issue and the stimulus materials ākonga draw from to support their explanations.
Possible contexts
In a teaching and learning programme, kaiako can support ākonga in exploring solutions and resolutions to a range of contemporary social issues, including ethical considerations that may contribute to solutions and resolutions. For the purposes of this Standard, a contemporary social issue must consider one or a combination of the following:
- the inclusion of diverse identities
- the impact on people's rights
- the responsibilities and roles of social organisations
- the nature of power.
Examples of contemporary social issues and related ethical considerations are:
- the protection of land rights — justice, self-determination
- discrimination and bias within different institutions and systems — inclusivity, equity
- attitudes to youth activism — inclusivity, equity, self-determination
- mining for resources — integrity, justice
- access to and/or cost of education — equity, inclusivity.
Literacy and Numeracy Requirements
This Achievement Standard has been approved for literacy in 2024 and 2025.
Full information on the co-requisite for 2024 and 2025: Standards approved for NCEA co-requisite for 2024 and 2025.
Literacy and Numeracy Requirements
This Achievement Standard has been approved for literacy in 2024 and 2025.
Full information on the co-requisite for 2024 and 2025: Standards approved for NCEA co-requisite for 2024 and 2025.